Minimum Wage Push

[donna]

PHUKET

The hotel labour union in Phuket is pushing for an increase in the daily minimum wage to the same rate that applies in Bangkok to compensate for the high cost of living on the resort island.

The current rate in Phuket is 186 baht a day, compared with 191 baht in dhBangkok.

''At the least our rate should be equal to Bangkok's, to allow workers to continue their living without problems,'' union chairman Wijit Dasantad said.

The increase would help reinforce the state attempts to reduce conflicts between employers and employees.

These conflicts could harm local tourism businesses, which were a main source of revenue in the province, deputy Phuket governor Worapot Ratasima said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/290807_News/29Aug2007_news98.php

[khall64au]

Thankyou for posting this article Donna.

Phuket may be the 'richest' province in Thailand but seems it's workers are paid below minimum rates. A higher cost of living deserves higher pay for the hard-working residents who pay more to live here - to service the high-tax industries that support the 'cash-cow'...

[sbk]

PHUKET

The hotel labour union in Phuket is pushing for an increase in the daily minimum wage to the same rate that applies in Bangkok to compensate for the high cost of living on the resort island.

The current rate in Phuket is 186 baht a day, compared with 191 baht in dhBangkok.

''At the least our rate should be equal to Bangkok's, to allow workers to continue their living without problems,'' union chairman Wijit Dasantad said.

The increase would help reinforce the state attempts to reduce conflicts between employers and employees.

These conflicts could harm local tourism businesses, which were a main source of revenue in the province, deputy Phuket governor Worapot Ratasima said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/290807_News/29Aug2007_news98.php

Am I reading this guy right? What conflict is he talking about? The one from employers who can't pony up a mere extra 5 baht a day? What difference is an extra 5 baht a day going to make in people's living conditions?

[khall64au]

PHUKET

The hotel labour union in Phuket is pushing for an increase in the daily minimum wage to the same rate that applies in Bangkok to compensate for the high cost of living on the resort island.

The current rate in Phuket is 186 baht a day, compared with 191 baht in dhBangkok.

''At the least our rate should be equal to Bangkok's, to allow workers to continue their living without problems,'' union chairman Wijit Dasantad said.

The increase would help reinforce the state attempts to reduce conflicts between employers and employees.

These conflicts could harm local tourism businesses, which were a main source of revenue in the province, deputy Phuket governor Worapot Ratasima said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/290807_News/29Aug2007_news98.php

Am I reading this guy right? What conflict is he talking about? The one from employers who can't pony up a mere extra 5 baht a day? What difference is an extra 5 baht a day going to make in people's living conditions?

Just about zero SBK - but at least the recognition is there! Phuket is expensive and it is about time that the employers took it on board. The wage increase is - what 3%? I just completed a travel guide update and MANY tourist industry rates have increased around 20%, or more, since 2004. Theft crime rates have inceased also - for the record!

[Solosiam]

Am I reading this guy right? What conflict is he talking about? The one from employers who can't pony up a mere extra 5 baht a day? What difference is an extra 5 baht a day going to make in people's living conditions?

why bother paying it then?

[sbk]

Minimum wage varies from province to province and is the legal lowest limit allowed to pay laborers. So, perhaps the best reason to pay it is because its the law. Best reason to pay higher than that is human decency but that seems to be in fairly short supply around the world so perhaps making it the law will work better.

[Rinrada]

Bit like London Weighing...init.....Bears ...ie the poor workers get more (usually) for working ...sweating in the Smoke...

[Super Hans]

Which employers pay minimum wage - all of them? Do bars, for instance? If there are businesses that advertise they pay above minimum wage, I'm all in favour of patronising them. I think farang have a moral obligation to drive up wages. What's 5 baht per day to us? Nothing.

I've not seen much of Thailand - Bangers, Patts, Krabi, Phuket. But from what I've seen, Phuket is the poorest region I've visited. I make this observation purely on the "fast food challenge" - I saw many Thais eat KFCs in all areas except Phuket, where I've never seen a Thai eat. No empirical evidence, just lardarsed observation.

[LivinLOS]

Phuket the poorest place you have seen ?? I would have to say its one of the richest !!! Patts or Krabi being richer !!! Not a hope IMO.

As to the min wage theres so little enforcement its a joke.. And employers routinely do what they want anyway (Thai ones) I know employers who have said at the end of the month, "OK I know we said 6k per month, but we didnt make much money so we will give you 1/2" those in the min wage category are such low status no one gives a hoot anyway.

If you want to make a stand on an issue your better off chipping away at the class based systems which keep dark skinned and wider nosed issanites to menial jobs with no progression while white skinned Thai Chinese run the banks and hold the former down. The class structure does so much to hold back the population for the benefit of a small minority. I have a theory thats one of the reasons the powers that be dont like us here and make visa and biz issues so anti farang, simply that we tend to employ (and train) based on work effort, on ability to do the job not on connections and nepotism. This upsets thier applecart and is a threat to the continued ability of the elites to lord it over the large working classes.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Employers and employees are invited to have their say in the annual minimum wages consideration.

The Phuket Provincial Labor Office is inviting both employers and employees to voice their suggestions and opinions on next year’s minimum wages. This follows the Ministry of Labour’s annual wages rates revision which the ministry plans to propose a plan to the cabinet around mid September or end of October. The new rates are expected to be presented to the Minister of Labour to sign in the ministerial regulation by 30th October and take effect on January 1st. This year the authority plans to announce the new rates earlier so that employers can plan their budget for next year. In Phuket the subcommittee on the minimum wages revision will have a meeting on September 4th at the provincial hall. Those who would like to make suggestions can contact the Office of Labor at 076 -354036 or email [email protected] by the 31st of August 2007.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast from Phuket City to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, Mazz Radio FM108 at 7.30pm & maybe later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1, Tuesday 21 August 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

[donna]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

[Mid]

I'm waiting for the folks who though that the sin tax increase was insignificant to chime in here ..................................

[Super Hans]

If you want to make a stand on an issue your better off chipping away at the class based systems which keep dark skinned and wider nosed issanites to menial jobs with no progression while white skinned Thai Chinese run the banks and hold the former down. The class structure does so much to hold back the population for the benefit of a small minority. I have a theory thats one of the reasons the powers that be dont like us here and make visa and biz issues so anti farang, simply that we tend to employ (and train) based on work effort, on ability to do the job not on connections and nepotism. This upsets thier applecart and is a threat to the continued ability of the elites to lord it over the large working classes.

I think you're certainly right about that. I also see loss of face as being a possible factor - maybe there's an unwillingness for Thai business owners to embrace western business practices based on meritocracy because it would involve an acceptance that there are better ways of making money? Dunno. It's tragic either way.

In terms of "chipping away at the class based system", how can that be achieved? I gotta use banks!

Phuket the poorest place you have seen ?? I would have to say its one of the richest !!! Patts or Krabi being richer !!! Not a hope IMO.

I was thinking in terms of minimum wage and cost of living. Presumably Phuket's living costs are more than Patts or Krabi, thereby leaving less disposable income for those on minimum wage?

[Super Hans]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

[khall64au]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

Farangs DON'T KNOW how lucky they are???????????????? Farangs pay their own way in life - excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me- ! Farangs have motor vehicle accidents, farangs have medical bills, farangs have dentist bills, farangs get sick! NOT ALL farangs are supported by corporates, in fact - many farangs are setting up businesss here on their own and .... it is tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE STOP PRETENDING THAT ALL FARANGS have it easy here. We do NOT!

[donna]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

in fact, i did forget to mention that hotel staff DO get a service charge paid to them each month. some hotels have a minimum guarantee of this, and the amount paid out to staff will be anything from 1500thb up to, say, 20,000 in a big, expensive hotel. so, normally the salary is a base, with extras on top.

all staff who are legally employed receive a card which entitles them to health care. i know this because i had one and i used it. i did not have private health care, i went to mission hospital in phuket town. and i did not have to pay a cent for this.

thai staff are also legally entitled to 30 paid sick days per year. yes, you read it right. THIRTY sick days.

maybe this post is contradicting what i said in my last post, but i am in no way saying that thais have hit the jackpot here. i just want to clear up a few points.

[Mid]

careful donna ,

mixing minimum requirements with the bonuses of one sector is misleading

[donna]

i think that may be why i didnt put it in my original post.

i think that the reason the service charge is not paid as part of the salary is because of tax reasons.

doesnt change the basic salary though. service charge is just a bonus on top of their salary.

[Super Hans]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

Farangs DON'T KNOW how lucky they are???????????????? Farangs pay their own way in life - excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me- ! Farangs have motor vehicle accidents, farangs have medical bills, farangs have dentist bills, farangs get sick! NOT ALL farangs are supported by corporates, in fact - many farangs are setting up businesss here on their own and .... it is tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE STOP PRETENDING THAT ALL FARANGS have it easy here. We do NOT!

I'm talking about farangs in their own countries, where many of us have free healthcare and well paying jobs. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[Super Hans]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

in fact, i did forget to mention that hotel staff DO get a service charge paid to them each month. some hotels have a minimum guarantee of this, and the amount paid out to staff will be anything from 1500thb up to, say, 20,000 in a big, expensive hotel. so, normally the salary is a base, with extras on top.

all staff who are legally employed receive a card which entitles them to health care. i know this because i had one and i used it. i did not have private health care, i went to mission hospital in phuket town. and i did not have to pay a cent for this.

thai staff are also legally entitled to 30 paid sick days per year. yes, you read it right. THIRTY sick days.

maybe this post is contradicting what i said in my last post, but i am in no way saying that thais have hit the jackpot here. i just want to clear up a few points.

Sorry Donna - can you clarify - are you just talking about hotel staff here? From talking to the girls that service drinks in the bar I go to (not bar girls), I was under the impression they receive no sick pay and have to pay for any medical treatment they needed themselves. Is that not the case?

They've also told me they get 2 days off a month.

[LivinLOS]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

Farangs DON'T KNOW how lucky they are???????????????? Farangs pay their own way in life - excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me- ! Farangs have motor vehicle accidents, farangs have medical bills, farangs have dentist bills, farangs get sick! NOT ALL farangs are supported by corporates, in fact - many farangs are setting up businesss here on their own and .... it is tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE STOP PRETENDING THAT ALL FARANGS have it easy here. We do NOT!

No but we have it a ###### sight easier than many / most Thais..

I take it your not working for 196 baht per day ??

In the other recent thread you say theres not enough pay being offered, yet I would guess you would probably want 5 - 10x a Thai basic salary ?? If not theres jobs going where my GF works.. Starting rate 7k per month.

[LivinLOS]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

in fact, i did forget to mention that hotel staff DO get a service charge paid to them each month. some hotels have a minimum guarantee of this, and the amount paid out to staff will be anything from 1500thb up to, say, 20,000 in a big, expensive hotel. so, normally the salary is a base, with extras on top.

all staff who are legally employed receive a card which entitles them to health care. i know this because i had one and i used it. i did not have private health care, i went to mission hospital in phuket town. and i did not have to pay a cent for this.

thai staff are also legally entitled to 30 paid sick days per year. yes, you read it right. THIRTY sick days.

maybe this post is contradicting what i said in my last post, but i am in no way saying that thais have hit the jackpot here. i just want to clear up a few points.

Sorry Donna - can you clarify - are you just talking about hotel staff here? From talking to the girls that service drinks in the bar I go to (not bar girls), I was under the impression they receive no sick pay and have to pay for any medical treatment they needed themselves. Is that not the case?

They've also told me they get 2 days off a month.

I am also dubious about this 'health card' which sounds like a form of medical insurance funded by the employer.. My GF has had multiple tax paying jobs and employment, never has she received an health card or medical insurance benefits that she knows about.

Would this have been part of the 30 baht healthcare scheme ??

[donna]

thai labour law states that staff should be allowed 30 paid sick days per year, and 6 annual leave days. there are also around 14 public holidays granted each year.

at my last place of employment i THINK all staff had this insurance card, but i could very well be wrong on this point.

[Prakanong]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

I agree with you - I really do not know how they live on it but manage to do so but it is just existing and not living.

I was in Batam yesterday in Indonesia on a charity scheme helping build houses for the poor. The guy we helped was on the equivalent 150 Sing Dollars a month and had a wife and 4 kids. He has to put part of the cost plus "Sweat equity" into the house - he was so dignified and proud to be building the house he and his family would own.

[LivinLOS]

thai labour law states that staff should be allowed 30 paid sick days per year, and 6 annual leave days. there are also around 14 public holidays granted each year.

at my last place of employment i THINK all staff had this insurance card, but i could very well be wrong on this point.

Should also point out thats for legally employed persons who are paying taxation etc.. Very often staff in bar work or many other professions are simply working black and hence wouldnt get any sick pay etc..

Talking to my GF again she doesnt have any work provided medical cover and thats working for a tax paying registered job. So it would seem that unless its a job perk she doesnt know about that its not legally required.

[Super Hans]

employers will do anything to cut their costs, as long as they (mostly) stay within the law.

i was talking to a room maid the other day who came asking me for a job. she is paid 5300thb per month, which, if you divide that by 27 (a 31 day month less 4 days off) comes to 196thb. lucky her! she is being paid a whopping 10thb higher than the bangkok minimum wage.

employers do justify this, however, by providing transport to and from their place of work, and, sometimes, giving them accommodation.

im not justifying it, just pointing out what is common practice.

The only time I've managed to live on 196thb a day was when I had the shits and couldn't leave the lav, and even that was touch and go (so to speak). Obviously, this excluded accommodation costs. How these people can afford to have a family is beyond me. A girl that works in one of the bars I drink in gets 6000 a month plus tips - maybe another 3/4000. She has two children and no husband. She recently had a bad motorbike accident and had to have medical treatment every day for a month, at 320thb a day. It's not merely the lack of money Thais are paid, it's what they need to pay for. No NHS, no free dental care, no sick pay, presumably no insurance. Farang don't know how lucky they are.

I agree with you - I really do not know how they live on it but manage to do so but it is just existing and not living.

I was in Batam yesterday in Indonesia on a charity scheme helping build houses for the poor. The guy we helped was on the equivalent 150 Sing Dollars a month and had a wife and 4 kids. He has to put part of the cost plus "Sweat equity" into the house - he was so dignified and proud to be building the house he and his family would own.

Everything is relative.

To be honest, the economic situation in the west wasn't that different when I were a lad - both my parents worked full time, doing menial, poorly paid jobs. We had no extra money for luxuries - my parents couldn't afford to drink or smoke, holiday in LOS, buy designer clothes or whatever. We had food and a house and that was about it. The difference essentially lay in the infrastruture - free schooling, free health, free dental care, better employment rights, paid holidays and the like. Oh, and the right to get rid of whoever governed them, if they should so choose.

It is only in the last 20/30 years that the difference has become so vast - particularly so in the last decade.

[Super Hans]

thai labour law states that staff should be allowed 30 paid sick days per year, and 6 annual leave days. there are also around 14 public holidays granted each year.

at my last place of employment i THINK all staff had this insurance card, but i could very well be wrong on this point.

Should also point out thats for legally employed persons who are paying taxation etc.. Very often staff in bar work or many other professions are simply working black and hence wouldnt get any sick pay etc..

Talking to my GF again she doesnt have any work provided medical cover and thats working for a tax paying registered job. So it would seem that unless its a job perk she doesnt know about that its not legally required.

I think this sums up my frustration with the place - nobody seems to know definitively what rules and laws are actually in place. Until this level of infrastructure is embedded in the workforce, and enforced through the appropriate authorities, I don't think the country/wider region will ever develop to western levels.

What level of tax do Thais pay, as a matter of interest? Perhaps more to the point, where the hel_l does it go?!!

[Super Hans]

thai labour law states that staff should be allowed 30 paid sick days per year, and 6 annual leave days. there are also around 14 public holidays granted each year.

Wow. 20 days leave a year. I used to get around 45, as much flexi as i could accumulate (which was none, ever) and as many hangover days as I liked. Plus 104 weekend days. The average working day is also a lot longer for Thais too.

[Solosiam]

If Thai's are employed properly and 100% above board they are entitled to free medical cover through their NI (National Insurance) Contributions.

[donna]

thanks solosiam. thats what i thought. i guess that the people who arent are not entirely legally employed.