Economy
Thailand to Import 10,000 Sri Lankan Workers for Construction Sector
The Thai Ministry of Labour plans to bring in 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka to address labor shortages in the construction industry.
On September 10, 2026, Thai Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat announced a new initiative to address labor shortages in Thailand by importing 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka. According to Khaosod Online, this move is intended to fill gaps in the construction sector, specifically targeting roles that are currently difficult to staff with local labor.
The government has already secured Cabinet approval for the framework of this initiative. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Thai government and the government of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be signed on September 14, 2026. Following the signing, the process for bringing the first group of workers into the country is expected to commence immediately. Minister Julapun indicated that the initial batch of laborers could arrive in Thailand within one to two months.
For residents and expatriates, this development highlights the government's ongoing efforts to manage labor supply in key infrastructure industries. While the policy aims to stabilize the construction sector, the long-term impact on the broader labor market remains to be seen. It is important to note that this report is based on the Minister's statements regarding the upcoming MOU; specific details regarding the recruitment criteria, visa regulations for these workers, and the exact timeline for the full deployment of the 10,000 laborers are still subject to the finalization of the bilateral agreements.
