Thailand KFC Faces Employee Lawsuit For Unfair Practices

[TAWP]

Don´t forget to use the TIP-BOX next time you visit KFC:-)

I've often wondered about the tip boxes in such places. I'd like to know if the employees really get to keep the tips or does the tip money also flow into the restaurants' tills and into the owners pockets?

i rather not visit these restaurants if i have to feel this way. It's not my responsibility. the owner(s) should support them.

Have you ever been to the US? Even in good restaurants the base-salary is minimum-wage level and then the tip is what makes it good...

[cardholder]

That is why Farang comes to KFC Thailand to eat Thai chicken.

Yes, there must millions of 'KFC tourists' just queueing to come to Thailand

[krangeek]

Don´t forget to use the TIP-BOX next time you visit KFC:-)

I've often wondered about the tip boxes in such places. I'd like to know if the employees really get to keep the tips or does the tip money also flow into the restaurants' tills and into the owners pockets?

i rather not visit these restaurants if i have to feel this way. It's not my responsibility. the owner(s) should support them.

Have you ever been to the US? Even in good restaurants the base-salary is minimum-wage level and then the tip is what makes it good...

Yes, I remember many years ago having to slog in a hamburger joint for minimum wage. The owner told me, 'never mind, you can make it up in tips from the custiomers'.

Wrapped his Porsche round a tree ...

[TAWP]

Minimum salary is for 8 hours work a day, inclusive 1 free meal.

So those who wrote something else is WRONG !

They should also have social security, it is mandatory by law in Thailand, staff pay 5% and the company pay 5% of their salaries.

If they get one free meal a day, and that is leftovers from the business and instant nuddles, it is not proper food, so i understand that they complain.

So have that in mind next time you go their !

1 free mail is included in minimum salary? Nonsense.

And they did not talk about left-overs, but sets of food that wasn't sold out (is prepared in larger batches, ex. McD used to have meat defrosted in series of 16 pieces when I was young and in the age of working in the fast food industry.)

[TAWP]

First, they will end up on streets. They are already there with that money.

What kind of accommodation can you pay for 1000 B?

Someone may let you sleep in his yard with rats, snakes etc.

Don't post when you lack the knowledge to argue.

Rooms close by here: 500 baht per month, 20Sqm, bottom floor, wood, several members of a working family share it.

Clearly many of those working at KFC share their accommodations, friends, family etc. As do many of us other...

[TAWP]

What I don't understand is that these workers have been earning pittance for years while the company makes millions yet the labour officials have done diddly squat about it. It's not as if their third-world salary is a secret. Everyone knows how little they earn - the same as any other fast food chain or restaurant here. What infuriates me more is that when staff have the balls to do something about it, we get comments from farang putting them and their cause down. Do you think that if our grandparents and their parents hadn't stood up to the capitalist pigs in the West years ago that you would be here today with a comfy job, social security, pension plan, holidays? What you gonna say next? You never got travel allowance? Maybe not. You didn't need it because your salary was half decent in the first place. Dim. Where do these people come from? 27 baht/hour is disgusting. Any attempt by staff to increase this rate is a good thing.

Capitalist pigs? The same pigs that built your countries and made it possible for the governments to spend money on lazy people by paying the brute of the taxes.

Seriously people, if corporations didn't hire people, where exactly did you expect the government would collect their taxes from that the socialist nuts of you want to throw to the wind?

[tropo]

Have you ever been to the US? Even in good restaurants the base-salary is minimum-wage level and then the tip is what makes it good...

I doubt you can really call it a tip because it is expected that you pay a percentage of your bill. I would call this "tip" a surcharge.

[Wallaby]

I can't believe the comments suggesting that these employees don't have a legitimate complaint or that they are just trying to cause trouble. How does anyone live for a month on 5,200 baht in Bangkok. Typical of some expats who seem to think that the local population has some magical way of making 5,000 baht into a fortune in Thailand. It isn't. It's a little above slave labor. True it may be the official rate but it raises the broader of the right of Thai workers to demand better wages. I suggest those posters who criticize their actions take it upon themselves to live on 5,200 baht a month. Don't expect any of them will but they still complain that workers are lazy and paid to much. Seriously who's going to work hard for that sort of cash?

If they don't like the job they can always quit...how is that slavery?

Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves.

And do what?

[Wallaby]

Dear friends,

And with that money they have to pay for their accommodation, food, clothes, shoes, educate their children and have some fun once a week.

Good idea but I can't make the right calculation.

On the other side, no one will give them a rise if they do not fight.

If they don't fight they will live worse and worse.

If they lift the boycott on KFC food I am gonna support them.

Try imagine being on BHT 27 a week.

A bottle of Leo beer is 48 baht.

So sad

27 baht a week?!

Yes, imagine that...but these employees had 27 baht per HOUR.

Wow, how dare they whinge whilst on such good money.

[TAWP]

I can't believe the comments suggesting that these employees don't have a legitimate complaint or that they are just trying to cause trouble. How does anyone live for a month on 5,200 baht in Bangkok. Typical of some expats who seem to think that the local population has some magical way of making 5,000 baht into a fortune in Thailand. It isn't. It's a little above slave labor. True it may be the official rate but it raises the broader of the right of Thai workers to demand better wages. I suggest those posters who criticize their actions take it upon themselves to live on 5,200 baht a month. Don't expect any of them will but they still complain that workers are lazy and paid to much. Seriously who's going to work hard for that sort of cash?

If they don't like the job they can always quit...how is that slavery?

Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves.

And do what?

Something else? Last time I checked KFC wasn't the last stop for a worker.

[Wallaby]

I can't believe the comments suggesting that these employees don't have a legitimate complaint or that they are just trying to cause trouble. How does anyone live for a month on 5,200 baht in Bangkok. Typical of some expats who seem to think that the local population has some magical way of making 5,000 baht into a fortune in Thailand. It isn't. It's a little above slave labor. True it may be the official rate but it raises the broader of the right of Thai workers to demand better wages. I suggest those posters who criticize their actions take it upon themselves to live on 5,200 baht a month. Don't expect any of them will but they still complain that workers are lazy and paid to much. Seriously who's going to work hard for that sort of cash?

If they don't like the job they can always quit...how is that slavery?

Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves.

And do what?

Something else? Last time I checked KFC wasn't the last stop for a worker.

A bar perhaps.

[TAWP]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

[Wallaby]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

That's just it, they don't have many options to get more than the minimum wage. They leave KFC and go to another place for the same wage.

[TAWP]

Not everyone can drive a Mercedes.

[FOODLOVER]

I can't believe the comments suggesting that these employees don't have a legitimate complaint or that they are just trying to cause trouble. How does anyone live for a month on 5,200 baht in Bangkok. Typical of some expats who seem to think that the local population has some magical way of making 5,000 baht into a fortune in Thailand. It isn't. It's a little above slave labor. True it may be the official rate but it raises the broader of the right of Thai workers to demand better wages. I suggest those posters who criticize their actions take it upon themselves to live on 5,200 baht a month. Don't expect any of them will but they still complain that workers are lazy and paid to much. Seriously who's going to work hard for that sort of cash?

Being from the Southern part of the US and knowing a bit about southern history i would like to raise a mighty big point about your contention that KFC employment is a "little above slave labor". Dont believe these good folks were whipped or even berated. They had leftover chicken and noodle pack. Holy crap! The managers utilized their position to fraudulently gather signatures against the company on company time. Basically big fat chicken eaten liars! Can't do that as it is a bad thing! Wages, well you get what you pay for. Ever see a Thai live alone? Same in the US, most people that work at KFC have roommates. It is doable! Nice Thai style apartment in pattaya 2,500 baht.

[Crushdepth]

Pizza Hut isn't any better.

[sirchai]

Is it me or does Colonel Sanders look Chinese?

I never ate their nasty food...:jap:

[krangeek]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

Well, 'last time you checked' (and why?) What exactly did you find as an alternative wage for a Thai with commensurate skills.

Bet you either don't (or are unable to) answer, (not calling you a liar or anything). Well? Anyone can, and does, often spout unsupported crap on internet forums, particularly this one.

Names of businesses and wage scales?

[TAWP]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

Well, 'last time you checked' (and why?) What exactly did you find as an alternative wage for a Thai with commensurate skills.

Bet you either don't (or are unable to) answer, (not calling you a liar or anything). Well? Anyone can, and does, often spout unsupported crap on internet forums, particularly this one.

Names of businesses and wage scales?

Wait, you are saying that the options for the general work-force in Thailand consist of KFC & co or going into prostitution, jet ski scamming etc?

And then you ask me to give names of companies that disprove this?

[Thaddeus]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

Well, 'last time you checked' (and why?) What exactly did you find as an alternative wage for a Thai with commensurate skills.

Bet you either don't (or are unable to) answer, (not calling you a liar or anything). Well? Anyone can, and does, often spout unsupported crap on internet forums, particularly this one.

Names of businesses and wage scales?

Wait, you are saying that the options for the general work-force in Thailand consist of KFC & co or going into prostitution, jet ski scamming etc?

And then you ask me to give names of companies that disprove this?

I would hazard a guess that journalists in Thailand get paid much more than they are worth.

[Deeral]

KFC - was supposed to be one of the "happiest" companies to work for a few yeas back.I will NEVER eat at either KFC or McD's as I've long considered their business practices to be beyond the pale. One can only assume that they concocted the story of happy employees themselves

[kuffki]

According to a poll ? Or survey? Or according to whom or what?

It's a business! Nothing more, nothing less!!!

KFC - was supposed to be one of the "happiest" companies to work for a few yeas back.I will NEVER eat at either KFC or McD's as I've long considered their business practices to be beyond the pale. One can only assume that they concocted the story of happy employees themselves

[Deeral]

I would have thought it was obvious!

It seems you have a miserable time at work and consider this the norm??

"Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. - while it was called Tricon Restaurants International (Thailand), was recognized as one of the Best Employers in Asia & honored as one of the best places to work in Thailand by global management consulting firm Hewitt Associates & Dow Jones, the publisher of Far Eastern Economic Review & The Asian Wall Street Journal."

According to a poll ? Or survey? Or according to whom or what?

It's a business! Nothing more, nothing less!!!

KFC - was supposed to be one of the "happiest" companies to work for a few yeas back.I will NEVER eat at either KFC or McD's as I've long considered their business practices to be beyond the pale. One can only assume that they concocted the story of happy employees themselves

Edited May 27, 2011 by Deeral

[kuffki]

I would have thought it was obvious!

It seems you have a miserable time at work and consider this the norm??

"Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. - while it was called Tricon Restaurants International (Thailand), was recognized as one of the Best Employers in Asia & honored as one of the best places to work in Thailand by global management consulting firm Hewitt Associates & Dow Jones, the publisher of Far Eastern Economic Review & The Asian Wall Street Journal."

According to a poll ? Or survey? Or according to whom or what?

It's a business! Nothing more, nothing less!!!

KFC - was supposed to be one of the "happiest" companies to work for a few yeas back.I will NEVER eat at either KFC or McD's as I've long considered their business practices to be beyond the pale. One can only assume that they concocted the story of happy employees themselves

Link please? and

Please underline where it says the "happiest"

Also how did you arrive at conclusion that it is no longer the "happiest"?

I believe out of 10 000 or so employees how many signed the petition?

Out of those who signed, how many actually came forward?

Out of all hose who signed, how many actually knew what they were signing?(considering that the managers used company email and fraudulently pretended to be something/someone who they were not.)

How many of those who signed resigned? or protested?

The only ones "wanting" to take legal actions and are not the "happiest" are the managers who broke company rules.

Furthermore, if the company was so bad to work for, one would presume the managers should be happy to walk away and find a new job in a "great" place to work, where instead they trying to sue for wrongful dismissal, i can only wonder why

[Patronus]

I would have thought it was obvious!

It seems you have a miserable time at work and consider this the norm??

"Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. - while it was called Tricon Restaurants International (Thailand), was recognized as one of the Best Employers in Asia & honored as one of the best places to work in Thailand by global management consulting firm Hewitt Associates & Dow Jones, the publisher of Far Eastern Economic Review & The Asian Wall Street Journal."

According to a poll ? Or survey? Or according to whom or what?

It's a business! Nothing more, nothing less!!!

KFC - was supposed to be one of the "happiest" companies to work for a few yeas back.I will NEVER eat at either KFC or McD's as I've long considered their business practices to be beyond the pale. One can only assume that they concocted the story of happy employees themselves

Link please? and

Please underline where it says the "happiest"

Also how did you arrive at conclusion that it is no longer the "happiest"?

I believe out of 10 000 or so employees how many signed the petition?

Out of those who signed, how many actually came forward?

Out of all hose who signed, how many actually knew what they were signing?(considering that the managers used company email and fraudulently pretended to be something/someone who they were not.)

How many of those who signed resigned? or protested?

The only ones "wanting" to take legal actions and are not the "happiest" are the managers who broke company rules.

Furthermore, if the company was so bad to work for, one would presume the managers should be happy to walk away and find a new job in a "great" place to work, where instead they trying to sue for wrongful dismissal, i can only wonder why

kufki - brick wall, head and physical contact come to mind

[kuffki]

kufki - brick wall, head and physical contact come to mind

care to expand?

[cardholder]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

That's just it, they don't have many options to get more than the minimum wage. They leave KFC and go to another place for the same wage.

No sh!t.

My daughter who is at university in the UK is doing exactly the same over the summer period. She is not expecting any more than the minimum wage.

Minimum wage is legal and acceptable - particularly where the may be opportunities for advancement.

[Patronus]

kufki - brick wall, head and physical contact come to mind

care to expand?

kuffki, don't go dumb on me.

I was suggesting that you might be knocking your head against a brick wall trying to get your point across.

khao jai mai ?

[cardholder]

If they don't like the job they can always quit...how is that slavery?

Some of you people need to get a grip of yourselves.

And do what?

Something else? Last time I checked KFC wasn't the last stop for a worker.

A bar perhaps.

No, not a bar - they will have started there first.

[tropo]

If those are the options you think people, or students, here have then maybe you should broaden your perspective.

That's just it, they don't have many options to get more than the minimum wage. They leave KFC and go to another place for the same wage.

No sh!t.

My daughter who is at university in the UK is doing exactly the same over the summer period. She is not expecting any more than the minimum wage.

Minimum wage is legal and acceptable - particularly where the may be opportunities for advancement.

No way! The minimum wage is unacceptable at KFC in Thailand because it is an international franchise. That's why so many people on this thread are disgusted and expect KFC to pay a similar wage to what KFC staff get back in their respective home lands with the addition of a 5-star buffet lunch and taxi fares home.