The closure of 7 offices issuing certificates of identity (CI) for undocumented Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand has raised concerns that the move could lead to more labour exploitation and make it harder for workers to obtain documentation to legally work in Thailand.

The Department of Employment issued an order temporarily closing CI centres in Pathum Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Samut Prakarn, Chonburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla, leaving only one centre open in Samut Sakorn.

Colloquially known as “green books,” CIs provide proof of Myanmar citizenship and allow Myanmar migrants to work in Thailand.

Siwawong Suktawee

Siwawong Suktawee from the Migrant Working Group (MWG) said that the closures were made following a request from Myanmar authorities, who claimed that only one centre is needed as only a small number of migrant workers need to obtain proof of citizenship.

Siwawong said that this will create difficulties for workers, since those working in other provinces will have to come to Samut Sakhon to obtain documents. He is also concerned that the unclear booking system will allow employment agencies to exploit workers by making them pay large fees to facilitate the process of getting a certificate.

He estimates that there could be as many as 1.5 million undocumented Myanmar migrants and refugees in Thailand, too many for a single CI centre to process. He also thinks Thai authorities should publicise contact information for the remaining centre and explain how migrants can obtain a certificate to reduce the risk that they will be exploited.

According to Siwawong, the government needs to rethink how it works with the Myanmar junta. In his view, acting on their recommendation to close CI centres will make it harder to manage migrant workers in Thailand. 

For undocumented workers unable to obtain identity document from their country of citizenship, Siwawong said the Thai authorities might need to consider issuing them identification without requiring certification from their country of citizenship to allow them to live and work in Thailand. For example, he said, the Thai government during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed undocumented workers to report to the authorities and obtain a “Pink card” – an identification card for migrants. However, he said that the Thai government is “too concerned” about its relationship with the junta to issue a clear policy.

He also thinks that they should allow migrants who hope to return to Myanmar to temporarily remain in country.  As for those who want to stay, he suggests that the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree be used to help them register and obtain permits with the Department of Employment.

Given the situation in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, migrants who want to return home might not be able to do so immediately.  In such cases, Siwawong thinks the government should implement measures allowing them to stay until things improve.  Those who only have identification papers issued by Thai authorities could be required to obtain additional documents after returning home if they want to come back to Thailand.