Many workers unaware of AEC market opening: survey
Only half of the workforce is aware of the upcoming liberalisation of the labour market, and 43 per cent of them think it will make it harder to get a job, while only 34 per cent of employers believe the policy will benefit the workforce, according to an
Jobstreet.com conducted a survey on a sample size of 2,890 employees of private enterprises and employers in 303 organisations.
“Last year the widely discussed issues about labour were the increase in the minimum wage and Asean’s free flow of labour. The first issue was about the implementation of a Bt300 minimum wage, which has affected the employment market, while the second issue was about the fact that not only must educational institutions adjust and prepare new graduates for higher competition in the upcoming three years, but also agencies, organisations and companies must adapt to the change as well,” country manager Tanaporn Satitpunwaycha said yesterday.
In terms of preparation for Asean’s free flow of labour, the survey found that only 56 per cent of the workforce know about that policy and 43 per cent of them think it will be harder to get a job. As for the employer side, 34 per cent think that it will bring benefits to the workforce while 20 per cent have the opposite point of view. About 46 per cent are unsure whether the policy will be beneficial or harmful.
Within the 20-per-cent group, 62 per cent believe that investment will move to neighbouring countries with lower costs, taking jobs away from Thailand. The lack of English skills among Thai personnel will make them less competitive in the free labour market. About 6 per cent believe that Thai skilled labour will choose to work abroad, which will cause a brain drain in the Thai employment market.
When the wage hike and labour liberalisation come into effect, entrepreneurs will need to pay higher wages, so they will expect greater efficiency from their personnel.
Labour liberalisation will offer broader options for both employers and employees. Skilled workers can go abroad because of higher incentives, while employers can consider hiring foreign personnel with better skills, particularly proficiency in English.
Employers say employees need to sharpen their skills – especially in English; keep learning and developing the ability to be multi-skilled; maintain discipline and patience; not be too selective; and prepare themselves to work in a multicultural environment.
About 52 per cent of employees say they have already received a pay rise this year, with 36 per cent of them saying it is because of the increase in the minimum wage. As for this policy, 37 per cent think it is a benefit to themselves as well as the overall economy, 35 per cent think it benefits themselves but not the economy, 8 per cent think it is not a benefit to themselves but is to the economy, and 20 per cent think it benefits neither themselves nor the economy.
As for employers, 51 per cent follow the policy, while 37 per cent say they already pay higher than the new minimum wage, 8 per cent say they have not adopted the policy since they are not within the seven pilot provinces, and 4 per cent have not pursued the policy for other reasons.
Among employers, 52 per cent say the new minimum wage will not affect employment levels in the future, while 21 per cent have decided to reduce employment, 5 per cent will not employ new personnel, 12 per cent will maintain the same practices and 5 per cent reduced overtime.
In a Labour Day survey on job satisfaction among employees and the expectations of employers towards employees, 69 per cent of respondents said they are employed, but only 36 per cent were satisfied with their work, while 32 per cent felt indifferent and 32 per cent were not satisfied. As for a major reason for the dissatisfaction, 52 per cent mentioned unattractive salary and incentives, 13 per cent their chiefs, 10 per cent work that is not challenging enough, 6 per cent a long distance between work and home and 18 per cent other reasons. Among the other reasons are dissatisfaction with the administrative system within an organisation, job insecurity and the lack of career advancement. The major reason for dissatisfaction remains the same as last year – unattractive incentive payments.
This year, what workers expect from their employers are fair practices; appropriate pay rises; increases in welfare and leave; and promotions or more challenging jobs.
As for the expectations of employers towards employees, they were responsibility, enthusiasm and dedication, loyalty to an organisation and initiatives.
