NLA to help illegal workers in Malaysia
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is to tackle the problem of Songkhla workers crossing the border to work illegally in Malaysia.
About 50,000 did so last year. An NLA sub-committee chaired by Waemahadee Waedaoh will seek assistance for the illegal workers. Waemahadee visited Songkhla yesterday and told a meeting of district leaders at the Chana Community Hall the issue of nationality had to be resolved. Last year 1,468 Thais crossed the border legally at Sadao and Padang Besar while at least 50,000 entered Malaysia illegally. Most travel to Malaysia from Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha, Saba Yoi and Sadao to work in the fishing, restaurant, rubber and manufacturing industries. Waemahadee said the sub-committee would study the situation, which could involve as many as 200,000 workers. It will report to the government. Some of the workers were born in Malaysia. The problem has existed for a good 30 years, and Waemahadee said it constituted a national security concern. Thai workers in Malaysia illegally have no access to health or welfare services and have to live in hiding, he said. He said locals had approached him for help in establishing legal ways they could work across the border.
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