Labourers’ health should be a priority too

It is sad that this measure isn’t being considered nationally amid current economic restrictions and lowered competitiveness in exports.
Countering this, a call was made at an April 28 seminar of the Confederation of Thai Labour for people to give up vices such as smoking, boozing and ganja. Although this might seem abstract, unlike wage hikes, the measure could be implemented and contribute to improvement in public health and financial status. It was noted that one quarter of Thai workers spend more than half of their Bt300 minimum daily wage on vices.
Addicts require medical treatment and the support of their families to quit these vices, and factory owners should provide encouragement and incentives. Also indispensable is the strict enforcement of regulations in factories regarding no-smoking areas, arriving for work hung over and being a habitual user of drug. These measures would increase the productivity of workers and organisations and improve their financial status and their lives.
If possible, in addition to helping people cut down on or quit vices, owners of factories whose employees are shown to be healthy should be offered a tax incentive. It could at least help reduce government spending on worker health.
Sutipunt Bongsununt