Banteay Meanchey (FN), June 3 – As of yesterday, all points of entry along the Thai border in Banteay Meanchey and Battambang provinces have been closed.

There is no indication of when they will be re-opened, according to the Banteay Meanchey military commander on Monday.

The border closure comes on the heels of a recently enacted Thai law that drastically reduces job opportunities for migrant workers.

The commander noted that some Khmer workers are expressing their dismay with the closures, as they utilize the crossing to get to and from home and work.

The law tightens restrictions on foreign workers inside Thailand. Employers who hire illegal workers, as well as the workers themselves, face strict consequences and hefty fines if they are discovered.

However, at the request of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thai employers on last Friday, the Thai government suspended the enforcement of a newly enacted labor law, according to Ministry of Labor spokesman, Heng Sour on Monday.

The spokesman reported that a compromise between Cambodia and Thai government had been reached.

In the agreement, the decision was made to allow Cambodian workers already in possession of work permits to stay and work in Thailand, but they may not change employers.

“Thailand has issued a new law that applies to foreign workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. However, the Thai favors Cambodia by allowing laborers with work permits to stay and work legally there. The Thais suggests that Cambodian workers do not change jobs or take many days off," said Sour.

He added that the Thais appreciate the Cambodian worker's hard work and committed to promoting the legitimacy of those Cambodian workers with a working permit.
=FRESH NEWS