Labourers Bear Brunt Of Kingdom's Economic Pain

[Lite Beer]

SPECIAL REPORT

Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain

Jiraporn Phetdee,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

While the flood crisis has brought suffering and anxiety to large numbers of people in many areas of Thailand, few groups have been as severely affected as the country's labourers after the submerging of seven industrial estates.

Beginning early last month, flood waters gradually inundated Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate, Rojana Industrial Park, Hi-Tech Industrial Estate, Bangpa-in Industrial Park, Factory Land, Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate and Bangkadi Industrial Park.

Rewat Anantasiri, an employee who was laid off from IntriPlex (Thailand)'s plant at Ayutthaya's Hi-Tech Industrial Estate, told The Nation: "I was a day labourer for a production unit and worked here for just three months. My wife worked here for five months. We were laid off after the flood hit our workplace. Our employer paid out 75 per cent of the Bt190 [daily wage] from October 21 to November 12, and will pay us 100 per cent [bt190] plus compensation in two months' time."

He said his life had been really hard since he was laid off.

"I have two children. I have to pay my rent in instalments. I haven't been able to take care of my family properly since the floods began. I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Chamlong Chabamrung, a coordinator of flood-assistance centre at Bangpa-in, said about 15 companies at the industrial estate had laid off their workers. All told, more than 3,000 workers have been laid off by factories at Ayutthaya's industrial estates, and the number is growing. Some laid-off employees have gone to the assistance centre to register as flood victims and seek other forms of help.

The centre was established by a group of laid-off employees to assist flood victims - especially flood-hit unemployed workers in Ayutthaya - under the supervision of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee.

According to Chamlong, laid-off workers fall into two categories. The first comprises permanent employees. Employers of workers in this group paid out 75 per cent of their salary plus compensation, in line with labour legislation. The second group comprises sub-contracted workers, most of whom have not even been able to contact their bosses.

Some laid-off workers have been luckier.

Chaiyan Sariyan has worked for Sunflag (Thailand) at Ayutthaya's Rojana Industrial Park for eight years. He said he was given nine months' salary, while his wife, a 12-year Sunflag employee, was given 13 months' pay.

The couple have been hit hard by the floods; they have a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-month-old son.

"We will not look for new jobs; we are too old. We will use the money to start a small business," Chaiyan said.

He said that while he felt fortunate to be compensated, they had not wanted to be laid off.

"We have no choice."

Viboon Kaewkulsri, personnel manager at Sunflag (Thailand), which makes polyester fibre and yarns, told The Nation the company was forced to lay off many workers, since its factory and machinery were almost completely submerged.

"The water level in our factory was as high as 2.5 metres. Now, it has dropped to about 1 metre. We can't be sure of when we will restart our business. We have had to lay off more than a half of our 500 workers."

He said the Indian owner of the company had confirmed that the business would not be closed down, but would be restarted after a period of rehabilitation. The company has paid workers who were not laid off 75 per cent of their salary to tide them over.

-- The Nation 2011-11-27

[ozzieman05]

Being Paid in advance is great for the people concerned

And shows these companies have a good employee commitment

But now what ?????

They need to recover these costs

and an increase in prices of the good they produce is the only way I can see this can be achieved

[endure]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

[rogerman]

Labourers will bear the brunt because if the Govt. put up salary rates, things will get more and more expensive now the factories have to recover the lost money

[mijan24]

Labourers will bear the brunt because if the Govt. put up salary rates, things will get more and more expensive now the factories have to recover the lost money

Government has already taken steps to move the wage increase date from January to April I believe. to allow more lead time for stabilisation of the situation.

I must admit to being suprised that "Labourers" have actually received any type of compensation I would venture to say these would be "Thai Labourers" not those from over the borders - no evidence only my thoughts of how things work here and other countries with such labour forces.

[Deez]

Something not right about the companies having to pay for the govt. incompetence

[noitom]

Labourers will bear the brunt because if the Govt. put up salary rates, things will get more and more expensive now the factories have to recover the lost money

Government has already taken steps to move the wage increase date from January to April I believe. to allow more lead time for stabilisation of the situation.

I must admit to being suprised that "Labourers" have actually received any type of compensation I would venture to say these would be "Thai Labourers" not those from over the borders - no evidence only my thoughts of how things work here and other countries with such labour forces.

Likewise, I am pleasantly surprised to read that the woman working at Sunflag received 13 months severance. It's a foreign/thai company, but nevertheless, for Thailand, it's a generous severance. Too bad about the plight of workers cut off without more than 2-3 weeks pay, no unemployment comp, and worse, no job prospects. That's a bad situation anywhere, Thailand, Britain, USA all over the world.

[hellodolly]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

[h90]

Being Paid in advance is great for the people concerned

And shows these companies have a good employee commitment

But now what ?????

They need to recover these costs

and an increase in prices of the good they produce is the only way I can see this can be achieved

I doubt that it is true in many cases.

We gave everyone 5000 Baht before the flood (so they have money in the pocket, a gift from the company), they got the full October payment.

But for November everyone will get just 2000 Baht salary (we had closed all the November).

We'll slightly cut all salaries for the next few month and most probably no end of the year bonus.

Of course no overtime, no commission no bonus in November.

We had half the turn over in October, we had exactly zero in November and I guess we'll have only half of the turn over in December.

[moe666]

When people have to live pay check to pay check life is always hard.

[ratcatcher]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

No need to go ballistic HD as you are quite right.

The 'rich' in this case are the likes of the Shinawatras and politicians who are only interested in capitalizing on this disaster.

The "rich" industry and factory owners are apparently being a lot more constructive and charitable to their desperate (ex) employees.

[gregb]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

Hellodolly,

Many of us do not feel that "rain" was the reason for the extent of these floods and the tremendous damage that was done. Lots of us think this was a largely man made disaster caused by wealthy politicians mismanaging the dams for political reasons.

I don't believe this statement was in regard to the factory owners who are paying the legally required compensation as opposed to simply running away. "The rich" was in regards to those politicians who caused this to be the worst flood in Thai history.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against the government where hopefully all of this information will be made public, and those who are responsible can be brought to justice.

(OK, that last part was sarcastic. I don't believe for an instant that the guilty parties will be brought to justice. But it is still worth the effort to try.)

[JurgenG]

^

I can almost see one of my favorite Indian supplier shaking his head in the very typical Indian way, me knee deep in muddy water.

"No, no , no, no. Water is not responsible for Bangkok flooding. Trust me my friend ..."

Can't people get serious some time ?

Edited November 27, 2011 by JurgenG

[easybullet3]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

[ralphlsasser]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

Hellodolly,

Many of us do not feel that "rain" was the reason for the extent of these floods and the tremendous damage that was done. Lots of us think this was a largely man made disaster caused by wealthy politicians mismanaging the dams for political reasons.

I don't believe this statement was in regard to the factory owners who are paying the legally required compensation as opposed to simply running away. "The rich" was in regards to those politicians who caused this to be the worst flood in Thai history.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against the government where hopefully all of this information will be made public, and those who are responsible can be brought to justice.

(OK, that last part was sarcastic. I don't believe for an instant that the guilty parties will be brought to justice. But it is still worth the effort to try.)

Rain caused the water, but not the flooding. The corrupt governments starting 20 - 25 years ago until now just stuck their head in the sand and the money in their pockets and didn't take the advise of several engineers about how to channel the water to prevent flooding.

[h90]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

The last few years we always searched for people who want to work and are willing to learn.

Motorbike delivery

Man on the CNC lathe (no programing)

Accounting lady (not real accounting, writing the invoices and give it for the motorbike people)

cleaning woman

It is a nightmare to find anyone half reasonable. Coming at 8.30 am leaving on 5 pm, not sleeping half the day, not being absent because he has problems with the wife, not hang in the morning. Not getting the idea that he is the boss and the cleaning woman is his personal slave etc etc

[JurgenG]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

Maybe because Thailand is becoming a "first world" country.

I stopped caring about the unemployment rate if my home country. It should be something around 10% and million of people who cry they can't find work. But then when you need something fixed in your house, if it's not something like a total house renovation, people don't even bother to show up for quotation.

There will be plenty of work just to fix the damage of the flooding. If people want to work, there will be work.

Now you will always find the lazy ass that turn down every offer and claim he can't get a job. But if it fits your political agenda, who cares, right ?

Edited November 27, 2011 by JurgenG

[endure]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

Hellodolly,

Many of us do not feel that "rain" was the reason for the extent of these floods and the tremendous damage that was done. Lots of us think this was a largely man made disaster caused by wealthy politicians mismanaging the dams for political reasons.

I don't believe this statement was in regard to the factory owners who are paying the legally required compensation as opposed to simply running away. "The rich" was in regards to those politicians who caused this to be the worst flood in Thai history.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against the government where hopefully all of this information will be made public, and those who are responsible can be brought to justice.

(OK, that last part was sarcastic. I don't believe for an instant that the guilty parties will be brought to justice. But it is still worth the effort to try.)

Rain caused the water, but not the flooding. The corrupt governments starting 20 - 25 years ago until now just stuck their head in the sand and the money in their pockets and didn't take the advise of several engineers about how to channel the water to prevent flooding.

Precisely. As for hellodolly's remark about 'my leader in Dubai' perhaps he can quote any post of mine which demonstrates my support for either side in Thai politics.

[Bakseedaa]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

Maybe because Thailand is becoming a "first world" country.

I stopped caring about the unemployment rate if my home country. It should be something around 10% and million of people who cry they can't find work. But then when you need something fixed in your house, if it's not something like a total house renovation, people don't even bother to show up for quotation.

There will be plenty of work just to fix the damage of the flooding. If people want to work, there will be work.

Now you will always find the lazy ass that turn down every offer and claim he can't get a job. But if it fits your political agenda, who cares, right ?

Thailand will NEVER become "a first world country " while Thaksin still breathes...

[bigbamboo]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

As we've seen since 2008.

Edited November 27, 2011 by bigbamboo

[bigbamboo]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

Maybe because Thailand is becoming a "first world" country.

I stopped caring about the unemployment rate if my home country. It should be something around 10% and million of people who cry they can't find work. But then when you need something fixed in your house, if it's not something like a total house renovation, people don't even bother to show up for quotation.

There will be plenty of work just to fix the damage of the flooding. If people want to work, there will be work.

Now you will always find the lazy ass that turn down every offer and claim he can't get a job. But if it fits your political agenda, who cares, right ?

Thailand will NEVER become "a first world country " while Thaksin still breathes...

No country can become a 'first world country' that wasn't already one at the time of the origin of the phrase. It can become a developed country and no longer a 'third world country' as indeed Thaksin claimed during his tenure as PM. Indeed it was the reason he gave for declining overseas aid after the tsunami. Why would Thais want to lose face by having foreigners build their schools and hospitals for free when there were so many other ways things could be fixed.

[tlansford]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

hello hellodolly, it is good to see the severance pay, for sure. But when one says that the rich screw up and the poor suffer, it was not the poor who created & built industrial parks in a flood zone... That was a major screw up. For everyone. The companies, the workers, and the consumers...

[Thaddeus]

I don't have money or a job. I'm 36 years old, so finding a new job is very difficult for me," Rewat said.

Its a shame that a 36 year old is believed to be in a weak position to find a new job!

36 years old, he is more than able to work. he ought to be fit, strong(ish), far from worn out.

a 50 or 60 year old should find it hard.

but its a shame to see a country (or a state of mind) that believes that 36 is already 'over the hill' !!

Maybe because Thailand is becoming a "first world" country.

The starting pistol went off, they started to run...... then stopped for lunch.

[hellodolly]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

Hellodolly,

Many of us do not feel that "rain" was the reason for the extent of these floods and the tremendous damage that was done. Lots of us think this was a largely man made disaster caused by wealthy politicians mismanaging the dams for political reasons.

I don't believe this statement was in regard to the factory owners who are paying the legally required compensation as opposed to simply running away. "The rich" was in regards to those politicians who caused this to be the worst flood in Thai history.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against the government where hopefully all of this information will be made public, and those who are responsible can be brought to justice.

(OK, that last part was sarcastic. I don't believe for an instant that the guilty parties will be brought to justice. But it is still worth the effort to try.)

I pretty much agree with you except no rain no problem.

The extent of the damage was as you say caused by mismanagement. This had nothing to do with the rich it was politicians. I strongly suspect the poster was a red shirt trying to deflect the guilt on to others. And in Thailand there are many people willing to believe all there problems are caused by rich people. It makes no difference how much evidence there is to prove them wrong.

The extend of the damage as well as mismanagement by the current Government can be blamed on all the previous governments for not doing any thing to help control it.

[hellodolly]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

hello hellodolly, it is good to see the severance pay, for sure. But when one says that the rich screw up and the poor suffer, it was not the poor who created & built industrial parks in a flood zone... That was a major screw up. For everyone. The companies, the workers, and the consumers...

Trust me it was the poor who built it. The companies just paid the money.

As you say it was a all around screw up.

Maybe if the poor would have voted for honest politicians they would have got a government who would not have allowed them to build in flood locations. Alas and alack aint going to happen some of the rich get rich by being elected and then taking bribes.

These are basically scum they get rich with out contributing a thing to the people. At least the ones who get rich by semi honest means create jobs. I said semi honest because they are the ones paying the bribes.

[endure]

"Labourers bear brunt of Kingdom's economic pain"

Unfortunately this isn't a truth confined to Thailand. The rich screw up - the poor suffer...

What kind of a ignorant statement is that.

The rich did not cause the rain.

The rich are the ones giving money to many of the laid off people not your precious government or for that matter your leader who is rich and living in Dubai.

People like you would complain if you were hung with a new rope you haven't got the sense to complain because you are being hung.

Sorry mods but I just go ballistic when I see statements like that about people who are helping the people who are in need.

Hellodolly,

Many of us do not feel that "rain" was the reason for the extent of these floods and the tremendous damage that was done. Lots of us think this was a largely man made disaster caused by wealthy politicians mismanaging the dams for political reasons.

I don't believe this statement was in regard to the factory owners who are paying the legally required compensation as opposed to simply running away. "The rich" was in regards to those politicians who caused this to be the worst flood in Thai history.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against the government where hopefully all of this information will be made public, and those who are responsible can be brought to justice.

(OK, that last part was sarcastic. I don't believe for an instant that the guilty parties will be brought to justice. But it is still worth the effort to try.)

I pretty much agree with you except no rain no problem.

The extent of the damage was as you say caused by mismanagement. This had nothing to do with the rich it was politicians. I strongly suspect the poster was a red shirt trying to deflect the guilt on to others.

Once again - produce a post from me that supports either side in Thai politics. When you can't an apology would be nice - if you're big enough.

[KKvampire]

Whem are there going to be some Real questions and honest answers to why the floods caused such devestation? Or maybe we never really know because the answers will be too uncomfortable for those in control

[whybother]

Whem are there going to be some Real questions and honest answers to why the floods caused such devestation? Or maybe we never really know because the answers will be too uncomfortable for those in control

The floods caused such devestation because there was a lot of water.