Public and private agencies involved in migrant worker employment yesterday said unskilled work should be delisted from some of the 39 occupations reserved for Thai nationals as a measure to address the labour shortage in Thai industries.
They agreed unskilled migrant labourers should be allowed to work in some labour-intensive occupations many Thais have ignored.
The occupations include construction, animal husbandry, farming, fishery and garments, jewellery and shoe making.
Currently, migrants are banned from working in 39 occupations under the 1979 royal decree on work relating to occupations and professions which foreigners are prohibited from engaging in.
The proposition was raised at a public hearing on amending the list of reserved occupation for Thais under the decree, chaired by Sombat Nivesrat, deputy director-general of the Department of Employment.
The event, hosted by the Labour Ministry, was also attended by around 120 relevant public and private bodies including the department, the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (Econthai), the Tourism Council of Thailand and the Employers' Confederation of Thailand.
Econthai vice president Thani Sorat said yesterday the government should take unskilled labour off the list of 39 reserved occupations as many Thais today hold master's and doctoral degrees.
These Thais mostly work in industries which require particular expertise and knowledge. Therefore, the country needs migrants to fill unskilled labour vacancies in various industries, particularly Thai export industries.
Labour expert Kowit Burapathanin said migrants must be employed to replace Thai workers, not steal jobs from Thai citizens.
Some occupations such as tour guides and vendors must be reserved for Thais since a number of migrants and foreigners have been found to have entered these businesses recently. They will send the money to their home countries, he said.
Representatives from other labour agencies also said migrants must be prohibited from owning businesses, adding they must be employed as workers where their tasks do not include selling products in shops or stores.
"Working in restaurants or working as street food vendors is a major source of income among Thai residents. Therefore, migrants must not be allowed to take up these occupations as well," Mr Kowit said.
Two more occupations -- working as a Thai traditional masseur or masseuse and security guards -- should also be added to the reserved list, the hearing was told.
Providing Thai traditional massage is a unique occupation while it is stipulated under the Security Guard Business Act that only Thai citizens can work as security guards.
The meeting also defined reserved occupations as jobs that present Thai uniqueness. They include weaving as well as making Thai musical instruments and Buddha images.
Meanwhile, Mr Sombat said the amendment to the decree aimed to help the Thai labour market adapt to the changing world.
The revision of the list will be concluded next month.
