With the deadline for registration for most migrant workers ending today, the Labor Employment Department expects the number of registered workers to surpass the one million mark.
A total of 965,203 migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have already registered with the Ministry of Labor since the initiative started on April 1.
Migrant workers who are employed in the fishing industry have until July 31 to register.
The highest percentage of registered migrant workers are from Myanmar and Cambodia with a much smaller number coming from Laos, according to Thai PBS.
Obviously, this registration initiative only applies to legal migrant workers, it is believed millions more work outside of any registration system.
According to Thai News Agency, registered migrant workers will receive temporary work permits that allow them to stay in Thailand until the end of January 2017.
After the deadline, labor inspectors will begin making rounds in workplaces to ensure that no illegal workers are being harbored from the law. Those caught harboring illegal workers will face up to 5 years in jail and a fine of THB2,000 to THB100,000 for each illegal employee.
