The Thai government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with neighboring countries Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to legally bring thousands of workers to the Thai fishing industry, reports The Bangkok Post.

According to reports, some 42,000 fishing workers are needed across Thailand fisheries sector.

Labour Minister Adul Sangsingkeo will travel to those countries to establish the terms of the operation to mitigate the impacts of the workforce shortage that resulted from the government’s implementation of stricter rules in employment registration to prevent slavery and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Another measure will be to extend work permits for about 10,000 migrant workers who are currently aboard fishing vessels.

The ministry also plans to call a meeting with fisheries officials and fishermen tomorrow to discuss new MoU deals and "other problems so that we'll move in the same direction," Sangsingkeo said.