Some Thai Women Work For As Little As Bt15 A Day

[george]

Some women work for as little as Bt15 a day

BANGKOK: -- Women are facing harder times than men in the current labour market, an advocate said yesterday, with some working for as little as Bt15 a day.

Ploenpit Srisiri, who chairs the Women Workers' Unity Group (WWUG), told a seminar that women often had to take menial jobs for a very small wage because they needed flexible working hours for the sake of their children.

"In many cases, the wage is Bt15 per day," Ploenpit said, "The government should give these women assistance".

Held by WWUG and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the seminar addressed the quality of female workers' lives amidst the ongoing economic crisis. The event took place at the Century Hotel in Bangkok.

Ploenpit said many women gave up steady jobs and took whatever work they could find to have time for caring for their children. "But doing so means they have lost legal labour protection," she said.

On ways to help female workers, Ploenpit called on relevant parties to set up an adequate number of childcare centres in industrial estates.

She also hoped the government would declare International Women's Day on Sunday as a national holiday every year.

Chiang Mai University lecturer Worawit Charoenlert said female workers faced a higher risk of layoff than men because most women were nonskilled workers.

"Female workers do jobs like sewing," he said.

He too echoed a concern that without steady jobs and mandatory labour protection, many women would become marginalised.

Worawit said the government could improve the lives of these marginalised people by offering a living allowance at a rate no less than the minimum daily wage for jobless people.

"The budget can come from land tax and inheritance tax," Worawit said.

According to Ploenpit, 6,239 workers were laid off in Ayutthaya between January 1 and January 19 - 61 per cent of them women.

Labour Minister Phaithoon Kaeothong said the government was now planning increased help for laidoff workers whose employers suddenly terminated employment without paying mandatory severance pay.

By law, the government has awarded paidoff workers 30 times the minimum daily wage.

"We plan to make it 100 times the minimum daily wage," Phaithoon said. The government would try to get this money back from employers later.

-- The Nation 2229-03-06

[BigSnake]

Bt15 a day WHAT a shame for Thailand and the people of this warm and wonderful country. Do hope much better days are ahead for these women.

[samuibeachcomber]

Bt15 a day WHAT a shame for Thailand and the people of this warm and wonderful country. Do hope much better days are ahead for these women.

that figure has to be quoted on part time,one or 2 hours per day,its still very bad.

[oevna]

It's hard to imagine anyone could get by on such little money in Thailand. I have to believe almost anyone could find better work. Considering an eight-hour work day, we're talking less than two baht per hour. You could earn more looking for lost change in Siam Square. Of course, maybe these people are way out in the sticks. Still, sounds like there is more to this story.

[PeaceBlondie]

I simply do not believe the claim of 15 baht for a working day. Maybe 15 baht an hour.

[bkkjames]

In many cases, the wage is Bt15 per day," Ploenpit said,

I noticed that she didn't have any facts to back up this claim - other than generalisations.

Sad if true, but you can't buy a bowl of noodles for 15 baht so I have a hard time believing that they would take a 'menial' (what is that) job for 15 baht a day? By the time they commute, they have already lost money.

As usual, something doesn't add up.

[slapout]

I keep reading that many of the people on TV are giving sums of 10,000 to 40,000 baht/month+++ to wives, potential wives girlfriends etc. This should open up a new avenue to those on a limited/shrinking budget.

[Boater]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

[elektrified]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

A friend's aunt works in a good size factory making wood furniture. Pay=120 Baht per day plus a medical benefit.

[henryalleman]

I simply do not believe the claim of 15 baht for a working day. Maybe 15 baht an hour.

The ones who receive 15 Baht a day are still the lucky ones

http://web.nso.go.th/survey/lfs/lfs2008_tab.htm

There are more than 500 000 unpaid family workers an euphemism for household staff.

There is even another statistic that prove that almost 50 % of farm workers don't get any salary also.

I can only advise to stroll around in the NSO statistics you will be bewildered many times. Especially the Thaksin fans when they see that during his government the people get more and more in debt, and not only the people in Isan.

[henryalleman]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

you realy have a great sense of humour

[Boater]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

you realy have a great sense of humour

2008 Minimum Daily Wage

Baht

US$

Bangkok, Nakornpratom, Nonthaburi, Patumthani, Samutprakarn, and Samutsakorn

203

6.02

Phuket

197

5.84

Chonburi

180

5.33

Saraburi

179

5.30

Nakhon Ratchasima

170

5.04

Ranong

169

5.01

Phang-nga and Chiang Mai

168

4.98

Krabi and Kanchanaburi

165

4.89

Petchaburi and Ratchaburi

164

4.86

ChanthaburiPrachinburi and Lopburi

163

4.83

Loei

162

4.80

Singburi and Angthong

161

4.77

Prachaubkirikhan, Samutsongcram and Srakaew

160

4.74

Chumporn and Uthaithani

158

4.69

Chaingrai, Trang, Nongkhai and Udonthani

157

4.66

Kampaengpetch, Trad, Nakornnayok and Lumpoon

156

4.63

Kalasin, Nakorndrithammarat, Nakornsawan, Burirum, Pattani, Pattalung, Petchaboon, Yasothon, Yala, Sakonnakorn, Satoon and Suratthani

155

4.60

Khonkean, Chainat, Roi-ed, Lumpang, Suphanburi, Nongbualumpoo and Ubonratchatani

154

4.57

Nakornpanom, Naratiwat, Mugdahan and Amnatchareon

153

4.54

Phitsanulok

152

4.51

Tak, Nan, Mahasaracram, Maehongsorn, Sukaothai and Surin

151

4.52

Payao, Pichit, Phrae and Srisaket

150

4.51

Uttraradit

149

4.50

Chaiyaphum

148

4.49s

http://www.boi.go.th/english/how/demographic.asp

[dave9988]

why don't they go to pattaya and find a farang to take care of them?

[BSJ]

15 baht an hour would be fair for casual staff.

There is no point spoiling them...is there?

[ronz28]

I wonder what is the usual and customary number of "regular working hours" for that daily rate? 8, 10, 12 , or up to you? What about an annual bonus.... is that also paid for minimum wage type jobs? Is payment to a social security type fund included or excluded in the rate and is it mandatory? Just wondering what a $6 a day employee actually costs an employer per hour.

I guess most of the workforce is paid the minimum wage or more. 15 baht a day is shameful but this is probably a sensational story about unusual conditions and perhaps doesn't monetize free room and board, clothing, etc that a regular job would not provide.

[dumball]

I often wondered why so many young ladies prefered to just 'Lay around ' in bangkok and not take a steady job , just read here on TV that many do not get much satisfaction from thier work , job training maybe ? .

[DP25]

I noticed that she didn't have any facts to back up this claim

Why would we need proof to back up the claim? If you can't trust the representative from the Women Workers' Unity Group, who can you trust?

[henryalleman]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

you realy have a great sense of humour

2008 Minimum Daily Wage

Baht

US$

Bangkok, Nakornpratom, Nonthaburi, Patumthani, Samutprakarn, and Samutsakorn

203

6.02

Phuket

197

5.84

Chonburi

180

5.33

Saraburi

179

5.30

Nakhon Ratchasima

170

5.04

Ranong

169

5.01

Phang-nga and Chiang Mai

168

4.98

Krabi and Kanchanaburi

165

4.89

Petchaburi and Ratchaburi

164

4.86

ChanthaburiPrachinburi and Lopburi

163

4.83

Loei

162

4.80

Singburi and Angthong

161

4.77

Prachaubkirikhan, Samutsongcram and Srakaew

160

4.74

Chumporn and Uthaithani

158

4.69

Chaingrai, Trang, Nongkhai and Udonthani

157

4.66

Kampaengpetch, Trad, Nakornnayok and Lumpoon

156

4.63

Kalasin, Nakorndrithammarat, Nakornsawan, Burirum, Pattani, Pattalung, Petchaboon, Yasothon, Yala, Sakonnakorn, Satoon and Suratthani

155

4.60

Khonkean, Chainat, Roi-ed, Lumpang, Suphanburi, Nongbualumpoo and Ubonratchatani

154

4.57

Nakornpanom, Naratiwat, Mugdahan and Amnatchareon

153

4.54

Phitsanulok

152

4.51

Tak, Nan, Mahasaracram, Maehongsorn, Sukaothai and Surin

151

4.52

Payao, Pichit, Phrae and Srisaket

150

4.51

Uttraradit

149

4.50

Chaiyaphum

148

4.49s

http://www.boi.go.th/english/how/demographic.asp

May I point out that a great deal of the Thai workforce is employed in the informal economy, where they are not bordered at all with so called minimum wages.

[henryalleman]

I wonder what is the usual and customary number of "regular working hours" for that daily rate? 8, 10, 12 , or up to you? What about an annual bonus.... is that also paid for minimum wage type jobs? Is payment to a social security type fund included or excluded in the rate and is it mandatory? Just wondering what a $6 a day employee actually costs an employer per hour.

I guess most of the workforce is paid the minimum wage or more. 15 baht a day is shameful but this is probably a sensational story about unusual conditions and perhaps doesn't monetize free room and board, clothing, etc that a regular job would not provide.

Yes of course the slaves in the States had free room and clothing also and even an occasional beating up also. Maybe you regret that those times are over.

Or maybe you are enlightened already and dream of bringing 19th century working conditions back who was a major improvement already and further improvements in working conditions and wages aren't necessary. Because they should be happy,grateful and lucky that someone give them a job.

re-read my topic NR 10 and visit the link I gave, and you will see by the statistics of the NSO (National Statistics Office) its is no fantasy story at all.

I think its time you come down from your ivory tower and see the reality of how the workforce struggle to survive in Thailand.

[loong]

Worawit said the government could improve the lives of these marginalised people by offering a living allowance at a rate no less than the minimum daily wage for jobless people.

Daily wage for jobless people? - What does that mean?

There are a lot of rich people in this country - maybe rich by exploiting these people. It's scandalous and steps should be implemented towards a national minimum wage of 300 Baht. It would also stimulate the domestic economy

[Scott]

I'd be interested to find out how many women are working for 15 baht a day and just what they are doing?

This sounds like sensationalism at it's worst.

[Tolkien]

Nobody is going to work for 15 baht a day. I would believe 15 baht an hour, but not per day. Sure it is not a mistake?

[neverdie]

i thought there was a Min wage of 290 THB a day or something here in Thailand?

There is no way it is 15 baht per day. My sister in law works in a factory, 210 baht per day.

If it was 15 baht per day, then even a short bus ride to and from work is going to suck up all that money.

Imagine how rich I could get if I could employ labour at 15 baht per day

[henryalleman]

Again for all the disbelievers

http://web.nso.go.th/survey/lfs/lfs2008_tab.htm

More than 500 000 Thai are not getting an salary at all for their work

[neverdie]

No need to shout henry.....I dont recall disbelieving that fact, if it is incase a fact.....I couldnt be bothered opening all those excel spread sheets, sorry.

I come on here to thai visa nearly every day and work my backside off to try and make everyone see things my way......I don't get paid for my efforts either.....geeze hows a bloke suppose to put food on the table

and of course if youve got a job and your not getting paid for it, is that really a job?

[harleyclarkey]

Again for all the disbelievers

http://web.nso.go.th/survey/lfs/lfs2008_tab.htm

More than 500 000 Thai are not getting an salary at all for their work

No need to shout!! Ok...not all of us are spring chickens but the hearing isn't too bad still.

If half a million people are, in effect, slave labour then it is up to the Thai authorities to do something about it. Will they?? Like heck as they are probably the one employing these poor sods. Darn shameful disgrace.

[baht&sold]

why don't they go to pattaya and find a farang to take care of them?

Perhaps you actually meant: 'why don't they go to Pattaya to take care of a farang' (?)

Either way, not the most progressive post on a topic related to Intnl Women's day...

(the brick-throwing may now commence)

[dee123]

I would just like to add my thoughts on this subject;I have the deepest sympathy for the low earning women of Thailand, who are without doubt the engine room of The Thai Nation.I personally know many Thai women struggling to raise their familys.Many of them seem to be resigned to the fact that they have to carry this burden of family and non stop manual graft to support their loved ones.I only need to think of my wife's two close friends and neighbours who for myself and many westerners could not begin to imagine how to manage such a hard life and would undoubtedly buckle under this burden.I only hope the Thai Goverment realises what the backbone of Thailand is made of.

[Alwaysright]

It's hard to imagine anyone could get by on such little money in Thailand. I have to believe almost anyone could find better work. Considering an eight-hour work day, we're talking less than two baht per hour. You could earn more looking for lost change in Siam Square. Of course, maybe these people are way out in the sticks. Still, sounds like there is more to this story.

They could make a lot more with a cup sitting on the street.

[JoeThePoster]

More than 500 000 Thai are not getting an salary at all for their work

Watching rice grow is counted as "working" in Thai employment statistics.