Thailand's cabinet agreed on Tuesday to establish a Temporary Myanmar Labour Data Collection Centre in Samut Prakan for the convenience of migrant workers seeking to renew their passports in order to continue working in Thailand.

The idea for the centre, which will renew the passports of two categories of Myanmar workers, was proposed by the Labour Ministry.

So-called "Function a Labourers" have previously been employed in Thailand and hold a passport, a temporary passport (TP) or a certificate of identity (CI).

Function B Labourers have already been granted a work permit and a passport in Thailand under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries. They will be eligible to use the centre if they wish to keep working in the country after their four-year permit expires.

Nathporn Chatusripitak, an adviser to the PM's Office, said the centre also aims to make life easier for Thai employers.

Nathporn said the Cabinet has approved in principle the Labour Ministry's suggested smart visa for migrant workers.