Thailand KFC Faces Employee Lawsuit For Unfair Practices

[dunkin2012]

we get F#### ALL.

$6000 or under you pay no tax.

$6,001 - $35,000

15c for each $1 over $6,000

$35,001 - $80,000

$4,350 plus 30c for each $1 over $35,000

$80,001 - $180,000

$17,850 plus 38c for each $1 over $80,000

$180,001 and over

$55,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

thanks

Edited May 10, 2011 by dunkin2012

[mrpals]

It is not a question of "27 baht per hour"

The government has set the minimum wage for the country,

KFC has a policy of paying minimum wage (globally)

If KFC makes an exception here it would be held accountable to it's board and end up raising wages above minimum globally.

The issue should not be with KFC it should be with the minimum wage law here in Thailand, but they will not raise it because it would strengthen the baht and exports would decline.

Then why do we pay western prices for KFC in thailand?

Price is set and wages are set. Would it be fair to pay 10 baht for a burger here and $2 for burger elsewhere? They are public everything is done on global averages. In order to be everywhere people want you to be you may have to take less profit in some areas and more in others to balance.

[Thaddeus]

Well, if this topic has proved anything, it's that there has been sod all else happening in the news today.

[dunkin2012]

It is not a question of "27 baht per hour"

The government has set the minimum wage for the country,

KFC has a policy of paying minimum wage (globally)

If KFC makes an exception here it would be held accountable to it's board and end up raising wages above minimum globally.

The issue should not be with KFC it should be with the minimum wage law here in Thailand, but they will not raise it because it would strengthen the baht and exports would decline.

Price is set and wages are set. Would it be fair to pay 10 baht for a burger here and $2 for burger elsewhere? They are public everything is done on global averages. In order to be everywhere people want you to be you may have to take less profit in some areas and more in others to balance.

do you own a KFC shack somewhere?

I doubt.

my conclusion!!!!!!!

Please next time try to concentrate on one thing and write the summary ideas at the last sentence.

Edited May 10, 2011 by dunkin2012

[zoroastra999]

I knew an English guy working for KFC in the UK (I believe at their meat processing factory) who claimed he started to grow breasts through contact with the growth hormones in the chicken

[Trentham]

Price of KFC in Bangkok about 130 baht

Price is KFC in New Zealand 140 Baht

Wages for staff in New Zealand $13 hour = 290 baht an hour

Wages for staff in Bangkok 27 baht an hour

KFC, restaurant brands in New Zealand still make a profit when they pay 10 times more in wages than thailand and charge the same price

Also the chicken is no doubt sourced cheaper here too

I am a capitalist but when I see the disgusting super profits these businessmen make while paying their staff nothing so they can buy their latest merc to show their friends

it makes me want to be a socialist

Same goes for McD.

As long as their is cheap supply of labour in Thailand the chinese will continue to make massive profits

Point well-made.

I've always taken notice how I pay the same price for KFC chicken here as in the west. But shocked that employees here make less than 10% of KFC wages in the west.

Some fat cat is pocketing a huge profit margin on the backs of hapless employees who can barely afford the cheapest of BKK's dormitories and transportation beyond the "red bus."

Yes, capitalism at its worst.

Wages for staff in New Zealand $13 hour = 290 baht an hour

Wages for staff in Bangkok 27 baht an hour

KFC, restaurant brands in New Zealand still make a profit when they pay 10 times more in wages than thailand and charge the same price

Also the chicken is no doubt sourced cheaper here too

Sounds fair enough to me. Every Thai I know only does one tenth the work of a farang.

[BlackJack]

how much do the other companies pay for minimum wage?

some of the girls on beach rd pattaya make 500 baht for 20 mins work

[Beetlejuice]

It is common knowledge that fast food eating houses worldwide hire their employees on slave labor wages.

It`s good to see that these staff are bringing the unethical practices of these establishments to the attention of the public.

Below:

Milind Pant from India of Yum Restaurants International

[louse1953]

I believe all these KFC workers knew what the wages were when they went to work and i also believe they knew the benefits so...........whats the problem? If they do not like the deal quit. Unions have ruined the west and looks like it might start in Thailand.

The unions are the reason you had a decent wage and a pension,so you can now live off the labour of the underpaid in Thailand.You don't quit,you get a better deal of the huge profits.

[curtklay]

Price of KFC in Bangkok about 130 baht

Price is KFC in New Zealand 140 Baht

Wages for staff in New Zealand $13 hour = 290 baht an hour

Wages for staff in Bangkok 27 baht an hour

KFC, restaurant brands in New Zealand still make a profit when they pay 10 times more in wages than thailand and charge the same price

Also the chicken is no doubt sourced cheaper here too

I am a capitalist but when I see the disgusting super profits these businessmen make while paying their staff nothing so they can buy their latest merc to show their friends

it makes me want to be a socialist

Same goes for McD.

As long as their is cheap supply of labour in Thailand the chinese will continue to make massive profits

NZ gets $13 per hour? I remember in Aus they employed people for around $5-6 per hour and these are mostly teenagers 16yrs and above. This was there pocket money, yes they were unskilled and just wanted some extra money but they also work very hard, and having customers constantly complain = no fun.

I assume nearly all major food chains are doing exactly the same thing. They probably all do cheap labor practices.

For those of you who think 27baht per hour is enough to survive then I suggest for them to try it and see how far they get while having to pay bills in this economy

Yeah, I don't believe KFC in NZ is paying $13 per hour.

This is strictly a minimum wage job in the US that pays $7.25 an hour in most states.

[kuffki]

You are correct but again need to consider start up costs,franchise fees and set up, you will find it's same price as in the west.

You then also need to consider that here they have 5 if not 10 times more staff then in the west. Because staff unable to perform simple duties.

The employers are pathetic human beings.

Most of us like/go to Thailand because it is cheap. It is cheap because the wages are so low. But if the wages are so low why the hell do we have to pay a western price for the food?

If we are paying western prices for the food then the employees should be getting western wages. If they are getting Thai minimum wages then the cost of the food should be a lot less.

But it isn't.

I'm just glad I don't eat crap such as KFC, BK, McD, Pizza Hut.

Seems to me that this is then a management issue for not training the staff properly.

I guess management across all of Thailand does not train their staff. Because even in a 2x2 donut shop, there are 5 employees

[kuffki]

why company SHOULD do anything????

Please enlighten me.....

Why company should provide free meal??

Why company should even think how you get to and from work??

Why your personal problems have anything to do with a company?

You have a link to what factory workers at Toyota get paid??? I doubt it. Because they are on a minimum wage! And in the province where minimum wage is lower then bkk or any central location .

Again for the 10th time, employees get paid legal salary , not forced to perform any duty for free and food is a bonus!

You or they are NOT doing any favor for company, IRS actually other way around!

Do not like it, resign and go work in rice fields! Or in un-air factory for half the salary.

I suppose Toyota employees should also get a brand new car for free!

Forced to eat noodles ??? I doubt anyone forced them. Do not like noodles go buy what you like!

Left overs food, as in unsold food! How is that leftovers??? Why should company put up a banquet for the staff?

Travel allowance? Is that a joke? Do not like to work or finish late, find another job!

Were paid ONLY 27 baht per hour?? Well that's ONLY the salary in Thailand . Are employees brain surgeons? Or highly educated staff ??

There is nothing unfair in removing those who disturb company operations. They used company time and money for their own agenda, further more they did not contact the management to voice their concerns prior to creating a problem .

If you ask me, nothing but 2 gold diggers trying to make some money.

KFC is a business and profits it makes is not an employees business . If employee has a problem with company profits, they are welcome to open their own.

The employees may not be brain surgeons but they may well be educated enough to read your bigoted and ignorant comments.

Toyota do not supply a free car but as with all car manufacturers they will give a discount and pay more than 5000 baht a month.

If the shift finishes at 1am, it would not cost much to assist them to get home.

Food does not become leftover until the shift has finished. 1 meal a day should be provided.

The people that run KFC in Thailand only bought a franchise, that is different to starting a business. Yes they are entitled to make a profit but not at the expense of the employees welfare.

Too many employers in Thailand treat employees as disposable chattels.

Kuffki, I don't know where you come from but I presume you are a Farang. Maybe you you should go to a village and work a 28 day month for 4/5000 baht. From this income pay for house, food and scooter (so you can ride home at 1am)

We all know that the pay in Thailand is low but your attitude stinks.

This is certainly why you think workers are cheaters, liars, laziest....

If the company give more benefits than the minimal the workers will work better

You will say that s wrong but you re wrong : with better benefits more people will want to have this job, then the company may ask better service to the employee. As the employee is happy of his job, and he knows this job provides more benefits than any other he can have regarding his education or capacity, he will tends to try to keep this work and work better, even more if he knows many people waits for a position outside and there is more demands than offer....

Now fast food turn over is monstruous, why? because they pay the minimum, there is more offer than demand, etc....

Strange that posters here thinks in term of easy, short term profit for the company and does not bet on perenity....

so what you saying is that they should pay lawyer wages and the employees will then be of high quality?

Because i am failing to see how someone would chose to work in a fast food shop if they have degree in engineering.

Like it or hate it, but each job and industry attracts certain type of people. In the West they have started to employ mentally and physically disabled people in fast food shop, clearly because they job is hardly demanding

Edited May 10, 2011 by kuffki

[Thailion]

what is the minimum wage in thailand? i believe its about 185b depending on what province you live, ....what is unclear to me is how many hours your expected to work for,

and as soon as some workers try and get some justice {ie a fair wage} they are shot down in flames ! ....... up the workers ! demand your rights ! my wife works as a teacher in a training school for hairstylists..., she gets 6,500b pm and is expected to work 6 days a week from 8 am to 7 pm ........66 hours pw for 1,650b ,............is that legal ?????????? PLEASE RESPOND ;

Depends what province you are in ....for Bangkok the minimum is 215 per day.

This is for a 48 hour week...Any hours over this would attract time and a half.

If she has a Thai boss/owner you may want to be a bit tactful!

thanks for that thailion, but why r u advising to be tactful, i know TIT , but is there any recourse for this ? , if the pay IS illegal , what can she do ? is there a goverment body to stop this exploitation , even a local lawyer ?

Be tactful in...don't rush in with both guns a blazing.

You can lodge you complaints with the Thai labour Department and I am sure if what you say is true they will certainly take up the case.

There will be different sides to the arguement though as in: Your side ...and then her boss saying... your wife doesn't have a contract...she has been doing this for a while (so why has she not said anything), we verbally agreed to this... etc.

Understand that it will be a lengthy process and may not result in any financial gain for your wife. (for example if the owner says well I don't have any money to repay...especially if he is doing this with a lot of employees... I will have to close my business)

There probably won't be much done against her boss and they will probably pick up and open another school elsewhere.

If she is a trainer then is there a chance to set up her own salon? Are there other more reputable schools she can go to that will pay her a fair wage? Can she do her own business from home training?

I am not sure I want to spell it all out on here but if you knowThai, then you will know that Thais do not want to lose face...especially bosses from employees!

[kuffki]

why company SHOULD do anything????

Please enlighten me.....

Why company should provide free meal??

Why company should even think how you get to and from work??

Why your personal problems have anything to do with a company?

You have a link to what factory workers at Toyota get paid??? I doubt it. Because they are on a minimum wage! And in the province where minimum wage is lower then bkk or any central location .

Again for the 10th time, employees get paid legal salary , not forced to perform any duty for free and food is a bonus!

You or they are NOT doing any favor for company, IRS actually other way around!

Do not like it, resign and go work in rice fields! Or in un-air factory for half the salary.

I suppose Toyota employees should also get a brand new car for free!

Forced to eat noodles ??? I doubt anyone forced them. Do not like noodles go buy what you like!

Left overs food, as in unsold food! How is that leftovers??? Why should company put up a banquet for the staff?

Travel allowance? Is that a joke? Do not like to work or finish late, find another job!

Were paid ONLY 27 baht per hour?? Well that's ONLY the salary in Thailand . Are employees brain surgeons? Or highly educated staff ??

There is nothing unfair in removing those who disturb company operations. They used company time and money for their own agenda, further more they did not contact the management to voice their concerns prior to creating a problem .

If you ask me, nothing but 2 gold diggers trying to make some money.

KFC is a business and profits it makes is not an employees business . If employee has a problem with company profits, they are welcome to open their own.

The employees may not be brain surgeons but they may well be educated enough to read your bigoted and ignorant comments.

Toyota do not supply a free car but as with all car manufacturers they will give a discount and pay more than 5000 baht a month.

If the shift finishes at 1am, it would not cost much to assist them to get home.

Food does not become leftover until the shift has finished. 1 meal a day should be provided.

The people that run KFC in Thailand only bought a franchise, that is different to starting a business. Yes they are entitled to make a profit but not at the expense of the employees welfare.

Too many employers in Thailand treat employees as disposable chattels.

Kuffki, I don't know where you come from but I presume you are a Farang. Maybe you you should go to a village and work a 28 day month for 4/5000 baht. From this income pay for house, food and scooter (so you can ride home at 1am)

We all know that the pay in Thailand is low but your attitude stinks.

Why SHOULD they? Because their employees are human beings who have to eat and get around and live. They are not cattle. And also, this may be hard for you to grasp Kuffki, but it is a two way street. The labour of the employees makes money for the owners - maybe the owners could show their workers some gratitude. You seem to feel that the workers should be licking the rich man's boots grateful to be paid a wage that is barely enough to eat and live in a slum. The problem with taking the side of power - might makes right - as you seem to do, is that power can shift. The formerly merciless are rarely shown any mercy. How about we work towards a world where people get some breathing room and are reasonably happy? Where there is mutual caring between employers and employees - that each needs the other - rather than just exploitation? The world you propose sir, is one of cruelty and human misery. But then you don't come across as a barrel of laughs yourself.

Oh yes, and do you really think the LEGAL salary is fair? How do you think they arrived at that level? Who would you imagine had more influence on that law? Rich factory owners or workers? Just because it is legal doesn't mean it's fair.

2 way street?

Company offers a job and salary, do not like it-move on, have plenty of people who want to work!

Wages are set by the government, go sue the government.

Decided to make trouble for the company because not happy?-say bye bye to a job and go work elsewhere where the conditions are more suitable or fit the needs.

As simple as that

[FOODLOVER]

I knew an English guy working for KFC in the UK (I believe at their meat processing factory) who claimed he started to grow breasts through contact with the growth hormones in the chicken

Did they taste like chicken?

[MAJIC]

I for one applaud these peoples activism and I intend to support them by writing to KFC Thailand and if I have to boycotting KFC for whom I am a very good customer.

Some people fail to understand that we can be here living the lifestyles we live because someone fought for labor rights and stood up (and many times were killed) for working people. These folks have taken huge risks to do this and I think we should support them. This is capitalism and the free market working: when people decide they are being unfairly treated they stand up and do something about it.

I am frankly disgusted with people who take from the system and recieve it's benefits, but then want to slam the door on those trying to recieve the same benefits.

Well said!

[Tonto21]

I saw a great rip-off of KFC's image; it was on the road upto Doi Sothep, A small food vendor selling fried chicken of his cart, had a small bill board with the image of the Col Sanders and the letters KFG…..Must mean'Kentucky Fried Gai'…..Ha ha, nice one! Whenever my girlfriend and I talk about eating out, KFG always get a look-in, (that means a mention)

Talking of the Col Sanders, while serving in the armed forces, (back in the day) my ex-wife, (bone head) and I were sitting in a KFC in the UK, and I said "that Col Sanders, he's doing well for himself," my ex says, "Col Sanders…….Who's that your Co? I laughed….She was serious.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Tonto21

[jimbo38]

(2 way street?)

Yes, see below.

(Company offers a job and salary, do not like it-move on, have plenty of people who want to work!)

So it's ok to have slave conditions as long as there are plenty people looking for work???

(Wages are set by the government, go sue the government.)

And government is told what to do by rich companies!!!!

(Decided to make trouble for the company because not happy?-say bye bye to a job and go work elsewhere where the conditions are more suitable or fit the needs.)

And that's always easy to do in times of high unemployment.

(As simple as that )

Yes, as simple as that. Which is exactly what I said about big companies just FIRING everyone. Then the owners can do the work themselves and not have to pay anyone else anything!!!! Why don't they do that??? Just fire everyone and do the work themselves. I mean, it's real easy to do isn't it. Doesn't require much.

[kuffki]

Please post in point form what slave conditions KFC imposed. But before you do, please look up what qualifies for "slave"

Yes a 2 way street. Company provides work , employee works and gets paid- full stop.

No one owes you any favors, bonuses or anything else.

Again, do not like the conditions or the pay- move on! I do not recall KFC putting chains or handcuffs on employes hands.

You want communism? Move to Cuba or north Korea , sorry all others have moved to capitalism .

You think you worth more money then the minimum wage? Great go get a job where comPany also thinks you are!!

(2 way street?)

Yes, see below.

(Company offers a job and salary, do not like it-move on, have plenty of people who want to work!)

So it's ok to have slave conditions as long as there are plenty people looking for work???

(Wages are set by the government, go sue the government.)

And government is told what to do by rich companies!!!!

(Decided to make trouble for the company because not happy?-say bye bye to a job and go work elsewhere where the conditions are more suitable or fit the needs.)

And that's always easy to do in times of high unemployment.

(As simple as that )

Yes, as simple as that. Which is exactly what I said about big companies just FIRING everyone. Then the owners can do the work themselves and not have to pay anyone else anything!!!! Why don't they do that??? Just fire everyone and do the work themselves. I mean, it's real easy to do isn't it. Doesn't require much.

Edited May 10, 2011 by kuffki

[Fremann85]

I wonder if meals during working hours was part of the staff contract - it often is with food related companies as it's an easy way to get value from what might otherwise be waste. (And I don't mean plate scrappings but excess food that is perfectly fine but past the serving time margin used in fast food businesses. That said my experiences of Thai KFC they do not work to the "book" but cook to order in an effort to reduce food waste costs at the expense of prompt service to customers.)

i get question for you: are you cuban?

[bumpkin]

i make 2 personal observations.

The poor working conditions and employee remuneration in these world-wide franchises is well known. It is not a News story.

In a country such as Thailand, there is so much local food available, of good quality and at affordable prices, Who in there right mind would want to eat international 'junk food' ?

[Tanaka]

Kuffki, who are you? You call people who make 27 baht per hour, gold diggers? Travel allowance would be fair, if they take the bus, that is two hours work. The bus, bet you would take a taxi Kuffki, gold digger.

Who am I ? Is that a rhetorical question???

27 per hour is a wage in Thailand for unskilled and uneducated labor! Do not like it?- tough luck!

Minimum daily wage is 150-190 for 9-10 hour day, so they get double the daily minimum.

Go see how much salary girls/ boys get at your local . 4000 per month if lucky 5000.

Yes the 2 making trouble are gold diggers because they trying to get compensation for being dismissed.

Travel allowance, yes when you sales exec or manager, not money for you to get to and from work.

<Kuffki, as usual you speak without engaging your brain. Or is it just ignorance? About so much? rvdk asked you a very simple question but not even that did you comprehend. Please refrain from commenting anything, it has become embarassing.

[kuffki]

As usual?

I did not know rvdk needed a spokesperson.

So now that you expressed your off topic feelings, do you have anything on topic and less trolly?

y

Kuffki, who are you? You call people who make 27 baht per hour, gold diggers? Travel allowance would be fair, if they take the bus, that is two hours work. The bus, bet you would take a taxi Kuffki, gold digger.

Who am I ? Is that a rhetorical question???

27 per hour is a wage in Thailand for unskilled and uneducated labor! Do not like it?- tough luck!

Minimum daily wage is 150-190 for 9-10 hour day, so they get double the daily minimum.

Go see how much salary girls/ boys get at your local . 4000 per month if lucky 5000.

Yes the 2 making trouble are gold diggers because they trying to get compensation for being dismissed.

Travel allowance, yes when you sales exec or manager, not money for you to get to and from work.

<Kuffki, as usual you speak without engaging your brain. Or is it just ignorance? About so much? rvdk asked you a very simple question but not even that did you comprehend. Please refrain from commenting anything, it has become embarassing.

[NanLaew]

&lt;deleted&gt;?

Do the KFC workers get in (for example) New Zealand get more than the minimum wage, travel allowances and entitled to 'one free meal a day'?

No?

I thought not.

I am with 'cold hearted' kuffki on this wicket. Working fast-food joints WORLDWIDE is a MINIMUM WAGE job. For those that suggest we should try living on the Thai minimum wage, I counter that you go get a job at KFC, or McD's or similar.

This is what is called an emerging market due to globalization so what franchise holder, Chinese, Thai or otherwise, is going to commit financial suicide by paying Thai workers in their KFC in Thailand the same wage as New Zealand KFC workers?

Think before you post or &lt;deleted&gt;.

[Tanlic]

Rents for a prime location will usually be upwards from 1000 baht per square meter per month. In Bangkok and Phuket probably a lot more. So big stores like KFC can easily have rents of several hundred thousand a month. Utility costs will be high as well.

Assuming KFC dose pull in the 6Billion baht a year they mentioned and that on average each of their 10,000 employees make 6000 baht a month then salaries would be approx 12% of their net rev. But surely some folks make a bunch more so probably safe to say 15%, food costs usually 30%, rents? who knows? Franchise fee? Taxes?

I'm not saying that working at KFC ain't a sh*tty job, but, pepole who don't have a business look at the big net numbers and don't think about expenses.

If they want better conditions they will fight for it and unionise. Then I guess I'll be paying more for my egg tarts and 3 piece spicy sets

The big question would that 1 Baht added to the rice of your egg tart stop you buying it? Would it have you bypassing KFC and heading to McDonalds? of course it wouldn't.

It would just take the powers at be to add 1 baht to every item sold and have those 1 bahts divided up between staff as a bonus. each month.

The way it's set up It's not like they get tips in these place Doing something along those lines cost nobody a thing except you and your 1 baht you ta stingy git

Serously though, It's not rocket science to come up with something like that but for some reason they continue to pay sh!t money and end up in the news. Gawd love em!!!

[theanimaster]

Obviously Kuffki is one of those who enjoys the cheap life in Thailand and is worried that if wages were increased, he wouldn't be able to buy his daily beer chang because production costs have increased.

Same people who spit and curse at taxi drivers because of a difference of 2 baht change.

Yeah, we all know that lot.

[NanLaew]

Obviously Kuffki is one of those who enjoys the cheap life in Thailand and is worried that if wages were increased, he wouldn't be able to buy his daily beer chang because production costs have increased.

Same people who spit and curse at taxi drivers because of a difference of 2 baht change.

Yeah, we all know that lot.

No. Like me, he is realistic and pragmatic which is more than we can say for the new breed of foreigner that come on here tilting at bloody windmills!

[rogerman]

Forced to eat noodles. Bu**Sh**.

How much do Thais pay their employees?

Have you ever tried living off 5600 baht per month.... I bet since you are either Farang or other you'd blow that much on a friday night at nana

[transam]

Obviously Kuffki is one of those who enjoys the cheap life in Thailand and is worried that if wages were increased, he wouldn't be able to buy his daily beer chang because production costs have increased.

Same people who spit and curse at taxi drivers because of a difference of 2 baht change.

Yeah, we all know that lot.

Ah, your a hi-so farang eh.

[jdinasia]

2 way street?

Company offers a job and salary, do not like it-move on, have plenty of people who want to work!

Wages are set by the government, go sue the government.

Decided to make trouble for the company because not happy?-say bye bye to a job and go work elsewhere where the conditions are more suitable or fit the needs.

As simple as that

I suggest that people should look at the Thailand Labor Protection Act (1998 is the most recent revision I think)

T&G has posted some of it in English for those not familiar with it. http://www.tillekean...t/labor_law.htm

The full act is available online in English from several sources.

edit typo in year

Edited May 10, 2011 by jdinasia