Migrant workers need to buy health insurance

Migrant workers going to Thailand to work are reminded that they will need to buy health insurance before they leave to work in Thailand.

Fully vaccinated workers will not need to be quarantined, officials said.

The new ruling will now require migrant workers going into Thailand legally to buy $50 health insurance that provides coverage of up to $10,000.

Quarantine has also been waived for migrant workers going to the Thailand under the MoU Thailand signed with Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, provided they have been double-dosed with vaccines and test negative for Covid-19.

In total, employers have applied for 52,428 workers from Cambodia.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said that the workers will be subjected to health checks at the border and must undergo an antigen test.

“If they are given a clean bill, they will be issued a work permit and employers can take them to their establishments. However, if Covid-19 is detected, the workers will be quarantined,” he said.

“Expenses associated with quarantine or treatment will be covered by the health insurance valued at a minimum of $4,000 (132,000 baht).

“However, if the expenses exceed the insurance, the employers must pay for the outstanding amount,” he added

Banteay Meanchey Provincial Deputy Governor Ngor Meng Chroun said yesterday that the Poipet border is opening for all migrant workers who intend to work in Thailand but there are more requirements to complete and it also takes time.

“According to the health insurance rolled out by the Thai side, migrant workers need to buy $50 worth health insurance that has a coverage of up to $10,000.

“If they are infected with Covid-19 during the first month they will get the benefit of $10,000 in treatment costs.

“If the amount exceeds this limit, they have to pay the balance themselves,” he said.

“The insurance is only valid for one month,” he added.

He pointed out that besides the health package they must also have a valid job contract with the Thai company.

“Some migrant workers said that the insurance package was unfair, but this is the requirement for migrant workers who want to work in Thailand,” he added.

The provincial deputy governor also said that despite the efforts of the authorities, migrant workers are attempting illegal border crossing, almost a hundred of them were caught daily by local police and some by Thai police.

Meanwhile, Oddar Meanchey Provincial Deputy Governor Dy Rado said migrant workers who intend to go to work legally, must follow Thailand’s  requirements.

“For those travelling with border passes issued by provincial authorities that is valid for three days, they do not have to buy the insurance when they cross into Thailand. The waiving of quarantine would be convenient for migrant workers,” he said.

However, many migrant workers still choose to cross the border illegally amid stringent measures taken by the border officials.