The ministry said all migrant workers in the fishing industry have to register themselves to receive a proper work permit before March 31, as presently there are only 47,000 registered migrant workers in the fisheries sector, Thai National News Bureau reported.

Labour Ministry Inspector-General Ananchai Uthaipathaanacheep said the fisheries sector employed 146,000 migrant workers in 2016 and their work permits will expire soon.

So far only 47,000 migrant workers have renewed their work permits, leaving 99,000 at risk of being classified as illegal workers, he said.

He urged employers to help their migrant workers renew their permits before the deadline or face their employees being deported.

He said the employers must first submit work applications for their migrant workers to a local employment office. The workers will then be required to undertake a physical examination, before reporting to the office to receive their identification card and work permit.

Once these procedures are complete, officials will register their nationality before issuing a passport and a work visa.

The work permits this year will allow migrant labourers to work in Thailand until November 1.

A foreign worker is allowed to request a visa extension for a maximum of two years.