The Ministry of Labor aims to export more Thai workers to Singapore, especially in the shipyard sector.

Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Sunday that he and the ministry’s permanent secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth went to Singapore over the weekend and met with Singapore Labor Office officials, Singaporean businessmen and Thai Ambassador to Singapore Ureerat Chareontoh at the Thai embassy.

Mr Phiphat said there were about 4,000 Thais working in Singapore, mostly construction workers, welders, flight attendants, laborers, electronic parts manufacturing workers, pipe fitters and general laborers. “Thais can come to work in Singapore because the jobs will help them develop their skills and they will earn money to support their families,” he said.

Exporting Thai workers is also one of the ministry’s key policies as it wants to encourage Thais to bring their skills abroad back to the country. “The discussions with Singaporean officials and entrepreneurs will help expand the labor market in Singapore,” he said.

He said Singapore is looking for welders, skilled workers in electronic components and experienced construction workers in the shipbuilding industry. “There is a huge demand for more construction workers to support the expansion of various projects, particularly in the shipyard sector,” he said.

Jobs in the shipyard industry include building, repairing and maintaining ships; He said Thais can get jobs as general laborers, welders, painters and shipwrights without having to pass a test before starting work.

“It is a good opportunity for Thailand to export more workers. Those interested can learn the details from the Ministry of Labor in their province,” the minister said.