Govt Pushes Ahead with Skill Enhancement for Thai Workers

BANGKOK: -- The Labor Ministry moves forward with projects to enhance the skill level of the Thai workforce, keeping with the government's policy to increase the daily minimum wage and to be better prepared for the increased competition that will be brought on by the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Labor Minister Padermchai Sasomsap pointed out the necessity for Thai workers in every industry to improve their skills in order to meet international standards in the lead-up to the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC, in 2015.

He said the AEC will open up regional labor markets, which will encourage an influx of cheap migrant workers from neighboring countries into Thailand.

The minister spoke at the National Skill Standard Day event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, which concluded yesterday.

Padermchai noted that with increased skills, Thai workers will be able to compete against their migrant counterparts and earn higher wages.

Employers will also play an important role in improving the skill levels of Thai laborers, as they will not employ low-skilled workers or those who do not have the required certificates.

He emphasized that the government must raise awareness among Thai workers about the need to improve their productivity to obtain more leverage in negotiating with employers for a higher pay, a better working environment and benefits.

As for the tourism sector, Padermchai said the Department of Skill Development has been tasked with organizing trainings on Thai history and foreign languages for tour guides to enhance their competitiveness.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-05

Try improve English first will ya.

Try improve English first will ya.

Starting with you, "will ya"?

Even if this idea is good , how the government is going to proceed ? its nice to have good ideas but nicer if you can explain how you will do to enhance skill's worker .

Even if this idea is good , how the government is going to proceed ? its nice to have good ideas but nicer if you can explain how you will do to enhance skill's worker .

Yep, how do they proceed? The statement to the employers says to me "Make it so". Giving people extra money is good but doesn't improve that persons work skill.

The achievement of certification, regardless of what the industry is, for the workers is expensive. Is the government going to provide support for this or is it another case of kill the dinosaurs and only employ university graduates.

Good luck on that one!

Why do I feel like only Thai Visa/Nation readers are having this discussion?

The way this is going to be implemented is that skills tests will be given by Thai administrators and government officials and the difficulty of the tests will be revised downwards until enough people can pass it. Then the government officials will declare it a success until real companies hire these people and realize they don't know anything.

I thought Thailand already had 'influx of cheap migrant workers from neighboring countries into Thailand'? That is to do the jobs Thais don't want to do or are not prepared to do because of the wages/conditions offered? Like construction?

"organizing trainings on Thai history" the official version or the real one?