Brainstorming for Thailand's Labour Strategy

   Labour-related organizations, both private and public, are hurriedly planning a new strategy to handle the influx of foreign labours and illegal immigrants after the announcement of 300 Baht minimum wages. This problem clearly requires a strong collaboration from the government, employers and labourers.

 

   On 24 April 2013, Ministry of Labour in association with Silver and Gold Management Co., Ltd. (SGMT) organized the seminar “Thailand’s Labour Strategy under 300 Baht Minimum Wages”, which was presided over by Mr. Phadoemchai Sasomsap, Minister of Labour. The seminar was also joined by ambassadors from Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao PDR, as well as representatives from Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Industry, Internal Security Operations Command, and executives from private organizations.Mr. Phadoemchai Sasomsap, Minister of Labour, advised that labour strategy is important to all countries as a key mechanism that drives ASEAN toward a shared successful future.

 

   “Thai government set a strategy to improve labourstandard throughout the country with the announcement of 300 Baht minimum wages. We also provide standardized labour right protection among Thai and foreign labourers impartially.”

 

   It is evident that the 300 Baht minimum wages has attracted more foreigners to come and work in Thailand. This is a positive outcome since many industries have been suffering from shortage of skilled labours for a very long time.

 

   At present in Thailand there are more than 500,000 Cambodian workers (both legal and illegal); while another 200,000 labourers are from Lao PDR. These Laos workers are mostly underage (12-18 years old) and often work in agriculture or housekeeping fields, which are considered “unpopular” among Thai labourers.

 

   This phenomenon poses a huge problem regarding illegal immigration, which is hard to control and monitor thoroughly. Thai government is therefore working hard on legalizing foreign labours in Thailand, both existing and 

incoming ones.

 

• Foreign labourers are knowingly breaking the laws 

   Mrs. You Ay, Cambodian ambassador in Thailand, revealed that she agrees with Thailand’s effort in legalizing foreign labours. However, such process often entails a large expense, e.g. labour registration and documentation fees. Left with no other choice, labourers who cannot afford these fees have to stay illegal despite their intention to work in Thailand legally.

 

   Mr. Somchay Inthapatha, Laos ambassador secretary in economic affairs, also revealed that Laos labourers who wish to work in Thailand usually have to pay the labour agency a share from their salary. For example, if they earn 7,000 Baht, the agency will take 1,000 Baht as their cut. This clearly burdens Laos labourers even further. He suggested that an immediate measure must be formulated to rectify the issue.  

   While Mr. Ngo Duc Thang, Vietnamese ambassador in Thailand, said that currently Vietnam and Thailand is preparing an MOU focusing on reducing the registration expense on workers’ part. He hoped that this will help encourage more foreign labours to legalize their status by registering into the system.

 

• Labour service centers along borders 

It should be noted that ambassadors and representatives from Cambodia and Lao PDR suggested establishing “labour service centers along borders” to train foreign labourers about everything necessary for working in Thailand e.g. Thai culture, Thai language, related labour laws, and basic vocational skills. The centers will also help coordinate with related parties in provincial level to solve labour-

related problems that might occur in the area.  

 

• Labour expert: “We need both quantity and quality management”

   Mr. Chackrit Suwannasarn, Chief Executive Officer of Silver and Gold Management Co., Ltd. (SGMT), a leading foreign labour management company, revealed that he wants all foreign labourers in Thailand to have a good quality of life and is willing to help them with all legal issues. 

 

   The company suggests that both employers and workers should have a shared responsibility for the labour registration expense. This will help alleviate the workers’ burdens, and encourage them to continue working with the employers.

 

   “From my experience, when workers can no longer afford to pay the registration fee and their wages are deducted for  rent, utility, uniform cost, etc. by employer, they will switch to a better paying employer immediately even though it’s illegal to do so.”   

 

   SGMT also places emphasis on the quality of foreign labours. All labourers who register with the company will be evaluated for their skill levels and property trained if necessary. If the workers are proved to be under qualified after being delivered, the employer can request suitable replacements immediately to prevent understaffing, which can damage the business.

 

   “Since labours are the small yet important factor that drives the economy forward, we will do our best to ensure that they have a good quality of life and are equipped with necessary skills to perform optimally for the employers,” Khun Chackrit concluded. 

 

“30 years expertise in labour management”

 

Silver and Gold Management Co., Ltd. (SGMT)

 3rd Floor, Silver and Gold Building 40/712-716

Soi Navamin 111, Navamin Rd.,

Beungkum, Bangkok 10230

Tel: 02-509-3961-2 Fax: 02-509-3963

www.silverandgold.co.th

E-mail : [email protected]