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Last update - 11:39 25/05/2008 Thailand: We don't object to int'l control on labor migration to Israel By Ruth Sinai, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Thailand, Israel  The Thai embassy has denied reports that Bangkok is averse to bringing migrant agriculture workers to Israel via a transnational organization, which is aimed at preventing their exploitation by manpower agencies. The reports, recently published in the Israeli media, were referred to as "a complete distortion." It has recently emerged that the Thai labor minister told representatives of the Israeli Farmers' Federation (IFF) that Bangkok must be the sole recruiter of agriculture workers and that Israel's attempts to coerce the involvement of a transnational body is "intolerable." Advertisement These statements raised a few eyebrows in Israel, as Thailand is a signatory of an international labor migration treaty aimed at eliminating the mediation of private agencies that charge up to thousands of dollars from Thai citizens seeking to work in Israel. "The Thai labor minister strongly denies the allegations," the embassy in Tel Aviv said. It confirmed that she met with IFF envoys, but expressed nothing but her "appreciation for the Israeli government for cooperating with the international migration organization, in order to lower the fees imposed on the workers by contractors." The embassy added that the reports are "a complete distortion of the facts to the extent of harming the cordial relations between Israel and Thailand." The Ministry of Labor, Trade and Industry said that the statements made by the Thai minister were deliberately distorted to thwart a pending agreement, which will deal a death blow to private Israeli contractors, who often share commissions with their Thai counterparts. Two contractors have petitioned the High Court of Justice against the agreement, which is supposed to take effect next month. Haim Hadad of the IFF, who attended the meeting with the Thai minister, was unavailable for comment on the matter. Related articles: Bill caps headhunter fees for Thai workers Thailand moves to curb the exploitation of migrant workers New system expected to help protect Thai workers from exploitation Finance Minister: All illegal migrant workers will be expelled by 2013 Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.

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