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Thai Men and Women Warned about Exploitive Jobs in Bahrain and Turkey

Labour authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima province have warned job seekers to be careful if they intend to work in Bahrain or Turkey. The warning came after a worker sought help from the Thai embassy in Bahrain's capital Manama.

The man was first told he would be paid 20,000 baht a month, and later made to pay 58,000 baht for return air tickets to Bahrain, said provincial labour office chief Saeng-ngern Khaolikhit.

When he started work he was paid only about 12,500 baht a month and the employer kept his passport, crane driver's licence and air ticket, Mr
Saeng-ngern said. Eight other men subsequently reported similar problems.

He said the embassy was arranging for the men's return to Thailand. 

He also warned women who plan to work as masseuses in Turkey that they could be forced into prostitution. His office had received several complaints from Thai women working there.

 Brokers charged each woman a job placement fee of 43,000 baht.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday warned workers overstaying visas in Bahrain to contact the embassy in Manama quickly, as the deadline for amnesty was only days away. The Bahrain government has said foreigners overstaying visas can return home without facing fines and jail terms if they contact their embassies by the end of the month.

Adapted from: "Jobs in Bahrain 'could be risky'." Bangkok Post, 27 December 2007.