Phuket tourism operators struggle to fill 17,000 job vacancies

[webfact]

Old Phuket Town

 

By Peter Roche

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There are now over 17,000 jobs waiting to be filled in Phuket’s tourism sector, as international travellers flock back to the island. According to a Nation Thailand report, there is a serious labour shortage in the province, following the departure of many former tourism workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

While the island was shut down due to ongoing travel restrictions, there was a mass exodus of employees from hotels and other tourism-related businesses, who returned to their home provinces or took up alternative employment.

 

Now, as the foreign visitors return (albeit still in lower numbers than in pre-pandemic days), businesses in the tourism sector are struggling to cope. Phuket is currently welcoming 8,000 – 10,000 foreign arrivals per day, but there is only around 1 worker for every 5 tourists. Around 40% of the daily arrivals, at the moment, are from Russian ports.

 

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew says the number of visitors returning to the island is expected to continue growing until the start of 2023. In addition, there has been an increase of over 41% in the number of Thai visitors arriving on Phuket, compared to 2019.

 

Data from the Phuket Provincial Employment Office shows that 1,423 Phuket businesses have 17,173 vacancies between them. It’s understood most of the demand is at the island’s hotels, followed by the retail and service industries.

 

“Receptionists are in highest demand, followed by food and beverage service staff and spa masseurs.”

 

Pichit Singthongkham, Phuket Employment Officer, says his office is organising a media briefing in order to attract workers from other provinces. In addition, a recruitment drive is being held at Central Phuket on December 27.

 

Meanwhile, Supattra Jaruariyanon from the Patong Hotel Association is urging the government to do something to address the island’s labour shortage as soon as possible.

 

“Hotel operators are handing employees overtime and hiring student interns on daily and monthly terms to tackle the issue.”

 

The Labour Ministry is currently arranging part-time jobs for third-level students, in an attempt to plug the gap. The ministry is understood to be working with Phang Nga Community College, offering students the chance to work part-time in Phuket.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-tourism-operators-struggle-to-fill-17000-job-vacancies/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2022-12-16

 

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[Will B Good]

Trying paying them a decent wage, one good enough to afford the inflated, price gouging CP prices.

[ikke1959]

who want to work for 350 THB a day at least 26 days a month and working hours of  12hrs or more a day???

[LivinginKata]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

who want to work for 350 THB a day at least 26 days a month and working hours of  12hrs or more a day???

Very true. We know a few small guest houses owners who cant find staff. True they can only pay minimal wages and no extras. Tough for us small scale businesses. Thats life.  

[madmitch]

The Burmese used to fill a lot of the menial tasks but they're not in Phuket in the numbers they were before.

 

I'd have thought a receptionist should be a reasonable job, though perhaps the required ability in the Russian language is putting potential employees off!????

[connda]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

There are now over 17,000 jobs waiting to be filled in Phuket’s tourism sector

Nobody trusts that the government isn't going to do the "Pandemic Lockdowns" as soon as they can. Unlimited power.  Aphrodisiac extraordinaire.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice???

[connda]

Well, fool me twice and BOHICA.

[Deli]

Pay them fair wages and you may find staff. However, even this is not the key to success, a whistle and a unifirm ofter attracts more then money.

[Dart12]

I heard somewhere else that locals just plain can't afford to live there any more.  Too much has been bought up and priced everything outside what they earn.

[Mickeymaus]

"Receptionists are in highest demand, followed by food and beverage service staff and spa masseurs.”

 

How about "entertainers" and masseurs that provide happy endings? Is there a shortage too?