Thai Ambassadors Abroad Are Told To Protect Thai Labour

[Lite Beer]

Ministry of Labour told Thai ambassadors abroad to protect Thai labor

By NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT

BANGKOK, 20 February 2011 (NNT)-The Ministry of Labor has instructed Thai ambassadors in 13 countries around the world to look out for Thai laborers. They are expected to protect Thai workers' rights, increase job opportunity for them, and make sure they are covered by the host country’s social security system.

According to the Ministry’s Spokesperson Mr. Sutham Nateethong, language has been a major barrier for the majority Thais working aboard. The lack of language skills has led them to be taken advantage of by their employers.

He emphasized that Thai laborers should also be entitled to social security benefits of the host country and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Thai laborers have injected up to 60 billion baht into the Thai economy annually.

Meanwhile, the other issue with Thai labor is the lack of understanding of the culture of a foreign country they are working in. Many of them have been put behind bars for gambling and drinking, considered serious offenses in some countries.

-- NNT 2011-02-20

[beano2274]

Maybe they should do the same for the foreigners in Thailand too.

[whybother]

Maybe they should do the same for the foreigners in Thailand too.

That's the job of the foreign embassies in Thailand, isn't it?

As far as I'm aware, if you're a foreigner working in Thailand, you pay social security.

[Credo]

Somebody had to tell them to do their job?

[slapout]

Awfully high expectations for the embassies scattered around the world. They may try to clean up the outlaw recruiting/scam groups who operate in Thailand and seem to be staffed by Thai's first.

Then chase the Thai who are working on tourist visa, visa overstays, etc.

Wonder how the 60 billion number was arrived at? How many Working Thai are remitting money? They must have these numbers to arrive at the figure.

Doubt that the Labor department has much to say in the operation of the embassies, much less tell those responsible what their job description is.

[recycler]

I would be a good idea if the labour ministry would start to protect Thai laborers in Thailand too, but that doesn't bring in 60 billion Baht a year, so don't bother.....

[asiawatcher]

most Thai labourers who end up overseas are unskilled and in low paid jobs the 'locals' would not do. The reason they have the jobs is it pays more than they can earn here and even under slave like conditions, is still the sacrifice they are prepared to make for their families. I think they need all the protection they can get but not at the expense of their jobs. Dicey situation to say the least and no easy task.

[stepenwolf1958]

Maybe they should do the same for the foreigners in Thailand too.

That's the job of the foreign embassies in Thailand, isn't it?

As far as I'm aware, if you're a foreigner working in Thailand, you pay social security.

That's not the point of member beano2274 at all. You misunderstood his post. I agree with his point. It's incredible how much you are uninformed. No hard feelings, please as i have no intention to fight to any one but i am surprised you know so little about the things.

I never heard of foreigners pay for social security. May you clarify that your statement for me, please?

[whybother]

That's not the point of member beano2274 at all. You misunderstood his post. I agree with his point. It's incredible how much you are uninformed. No hard feelings, please as i have no intention to fight to any one but i am surprised you know so little about the things.

I never heard of foreigners pay for social security. May you clarify that your statement for me, please?

I know so little about things ... and you've never heard of foreigners paying social security?

Basically, if you have a work permit, then you have to be paid a minimum salary, and the company also has to pay social security for you (whether that comes out of your salary or not, I'm not sure - may depend on employee agreements.)

Now, YOU know a little more about things.

edit: What IS the point of beano's post?

[stepenwolf1958]

That's not the point of member beano2274 at all. You misunderstood his post. I agree with his point. It's incredible how much you are uninformed. No hard feelings, please as i have no intention to fight to any one but i am surprised you know so little about the things.

I never heard of foreigners pay for social security. May you clarify that your statement for me, please?

I know so little about things ... and you've never heard of foreigners paying social security?

Basically, if you have a work permit, then you have to be paid a minimum salary, and the company also has to pay social security for you (whether that comes out of your salary or not, I'm not sure - may depend on employee agreements.)

Now, YOU know a little more about things.

Well, you are incredible. Actually amazing guy you are.

But to ask you seriously and AGAIN. What is exactly SOCIAL SECURITY, in your post?

[whybother]

Well, you are incredible. Actually amazing guy you are.

But to ask you seriously and AGAIN. What is exactly SOCIAL SECURITY, in your post?

"Ask AGAIN" ... when did you ask the first time?

But, being the "incredible" and "amazing guy" that I am, even though I "know so little about the things", I found some information that explains what you are looking for:

http://www.asiatradingonline.com/taxemployees.htm ... about 2/3 down the page.

http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/social-security-act.html ... (don't click on the "next page" as it takes you to a different act, just click on the numbers below it.)

[REM]

Ok, so I'm a bit confused here. I have a work permit, and pay my taxes to the Thai government, but am I covered under social security? What does that entitle me to? I was under the impression that unless I pay a private company, I get nothing! And since it's through the government, I expect nothing but severe bias against me and any type of benefits because I'm a foreigner! Please, correct me if I'm wrong.!

Also, if I am entitled to nothing, like I assume, then why should Thai's be entitled to anything in any other country?

[whybother]

Ok, so I'm a bit confused here. I have a work permit, and pay my taxes to the Thai government, but am I covered under social security? What does that entitle me to? I was under the impression that unless I pay a private company, I get nothing! And since it's through the government, I expect nothing but severe bias against me and any type of benefits because I'm a foreigner! Please, correct me if I'm wrong.!

Also, if I am entitled to nothing, like I assume, then why should Thai's be entitled to anything in any other country?

You have a work permit. Therefore you pay taxes (and social security) and you are entitled to ... something. I'm not sure what that is or whether it's worth the paper it's written on, but it's the same as all the Thais get, just not what you would probably get in your home country.