A Surin employment office requirement that Cambodian vendors at the Chong Chom market in Surin province get work permits has been postponed again pending further negotiations.
Authorities in July began demanding that the some 2,000 Khmer vendors selling goods at the market opposite Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province obtain labour cards, putting an immediate chill on trade there. After numerous postponements, the deadline was set for last week.
Vendors would have to pay 1,250 baht for permit every three months. Those found working without a permit are liable to up to five years in jail and/or a fine of 2,000-200,000 baht. Their employers can be fined 10,000-100,000 baht per worker.
Last week, about 10 merchants who without cards were arrested by police but released the next day.
The Phnom Penh Post reported Friday, however, that Cambodian officials intervened, prompting employment officials to agree to delay enforcement until both sides meet again, according to Than Kimkan, O Smach border checkpoint chief.
Both sides will meet soon after Songkran to find an alternative solution that's less costly for vendors, Them Samath, O Smach commune chief, said.
Sun Heay, director of the Labour Department in Oddar Meanchey province, said he met with Thai authorities on Wednesday and was told that the vendors must follow the law.
However, he said, vendors don't have visas or passports, which makes it impossible for them to obtain work permits.