CHIANG MAI, Thailand, June 21 Kyodo...

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, June 21 Kyodo

Thailand and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding Saturday forward collaboration in curbing illegal workers, a deal that will enable the sum of two units countries to handle workers end formal contracts and confident labor welfare for them.

The deal was signed at Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung forward the sidelines of the secondary ministerial meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

below the deal taking effect immediately, workers from the pair countries will be entitled to a maximum labor contract of four years, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters.

The deal will fix proper procedures for recruitment, which will be managed by dint of government agencies in charge of labor affairs, Sihasak said.

It will also establish acts to orderly deport laborers before their contracts expire, the spokesman said.

''The deal will provide protection for labor welfare rights by dint of law in both countries. It also includes the prevention by way of concerned agencies of cross-border illegal immigrant workers,'' Sihasak said.

Thailand introduced a registration a whole for alien workers three years ago. About 300000 workers from Myanmar are among the 400000 who have been registered subordinate to the system, but it has been reported that Thailand has more than a million illegal laborers, mainly from Myanmar.

Prior to the signing, Surakiart told reporters Thursday in Phnom Penh that the labor deal with Myanmar would also enable the brace countries to collect taxes from workers.

He was visiting the Cambodian capital to attend a series of talks among Asia-Pacific countries.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo novels International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group