“Some production lines have delayed operations, since the import of materials used in production has been suspended amid the spreading coronavirus, so materials have become scarce,” he said. 
The president explained that some businesses normally import the materials from China, South Korea and Japan, where Covid-19 cases have increased. 
“I am afraid that the suspension of manufacturing would be a problem for outsourcers and affect employment,” he said. 
“In the first half of 2020, at least 30 per cent of 1.5 million outsourcers in the system will be forced to stop working temporarily, being paid 75 per cent of their total salaries in accordance with the law,” he added.

Material scarcity set to hit outsourcers

The scarcity of materials caused by the Covid-19 outbreak would affect employment for outsourcers, Thailand Outsourcing Association president Wisut Panthawutiyanon said.