Thailand Turns to South Asia for Workers as Labour Shortage Deepens

Thailand has decided for the first time to bring workers from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh after failing to find enough labourers, according to reports. Reports say farms in Thailand's eastern region are facing a shortage of workers, causing crops and produce to be damaged. The construction industry also needs a large number of workers. Workers from other countries make up about 10 percent of Thailand's working population. Thailand's population is ageing, and the number of people available to work is declining. Due to political issues in some neighbouring countries, finding workers from nearby countries has also become difficult for Thailand. As a result, Thailand is now turning its focus to South Asia. Thailand's Labour Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, said the first group of workers from Sri Lanka will arrive in January. Most of them will work on construction projects. Thailand is preparing a plan to bring in about 10,000 workers. If that succeeds, agreements to bring workers from Nepal and Bangladesh will be signed next year. The Thai government is also working to create a legal way for undocumented foreigners already in Thailand to live and work legally. Thailand's neighbours Singapore and Malaysia also host large numbers of South Asian workers.