Thai hotels accused of poor pay, ill-treatment of migrant staff

[snoop1130]

Thai hotels accused of poor pay, ill-treatment of migrant staff
The Nation

LONDON -- Many migrants working as waiters, gardeners and cleaners in Thailand's booming tourism sector discrimination, are paid below minimum wage levels and get no paid leave, according to an investigation of labour abuse in the country.

More than 30 million tourists are expected to visit Thailand's palm-fringed islands, white beaches, temples and vibrant nightlife this year, and the thriving sector accounts for some 10 per cent of the national gross domestic product.

However, a report on Wednesday by Swedish groups Schyst Resande and Fair Action found evidence that many migrant workers from Myanmar are being exploited in the southern resort towns of Khao Lak and Phuket at hotels used by three of Sweden's top tour operators.

In all, 29 migrants were interviewed for the report, 18 of them working mainly as cleaners, gardeners and waiters in seven hotels used by REWE Group's Apollo, TUI Group's Fritidsresor and Thomas Cook Group's Ving.

Firms providing services and goods to the hotels, including a bakery and a laundry company, employed the others.

"Among those we interviewed, it seems worse for those that work at the suppliers. They have longer working days, get less vacation and they also face a lot of discrimination," said Fair Action project manager Amanda Soderlund.

In a joint statement, Ving, Fritidsresor and Apollo said violations of national and international laws could mean the termination of a contract with a hotel.

"There are few companies and organisations that can control all supply chains in all countries," the statement said. "Ving, Fritidsresor and Apollo are together working with thousands of hotels worldwide, it is difficult for us to follow up on all these individual hotels."

The operators said that was why they were working with Travelife, a certification scheme for hotels focused on environmental standards and fair working conditions.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-hotels-accused-of-poor-pay-ill-treatment-of-m-30274665.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-10

[donnybay]

Same the world over

[willyumiii]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

I have declined the offers.

After reading this, I may just give them a tip next time they offer..and still decline.

[aussiesteve63]

Hospitality industry is akin to the slave trade and is a world wide problem

[digibum]

It's not like they do much better by native Thai people either.

[digibum]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

I have declined the offers.

After reading this, I may just give them a tip next time they offer..and still decline.

It's far more likely that it's because you are a hunsum man and the poor gals can't help themselves.

[willyumiii]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

I have declined the offers.

After reading this, I may just give them a tip next time they offer..and still decline.

It's far more likely that it's because you are a hunsum man and the poor gals can't help themselves.

Thanks for that.

But I am in my sixties now and have not even fooled myself into believing I was "hunsum" for a long time now!

But, I do know my money still looks good!

[worgeordie]

It is also the same for Thai workers in hotels,the rates of pay is very low compared

to what some of these hotels charge for a room,one hotel my daughter worked at

they used to take money from the service charges to compensate guests for any

complaints they had,like giving free meal or comping a room,so basically the staff

were paying for the hotels mistakes, pleased to say she has found a decent hotel

that seems to value its workers,with decent pay,1000 thb birthday present,and a

guaranteed 5K min service charge.plus a 5 day week.

regards worgeordie

[LannaGuy]

It is also the same for Thai workers in hotels,the rates of pay is very low compared

to what some of these hotels charge for a room,one hotel my daughter worked at

they used to take money from the service charges to compensate guests for any

complaints they had,like giving free meal or comping a room,so basically the staff

were paying for the hotels mistakes, pleased to say she has found a decent hotel

that seems to value its workers,with decent pay,1000 thb birthday present,and a

guaranteed 5K min service charge.plus a 5 day week.

regards worgeordie

you let your daughter work at a hotel for what? real daughter or your new wife's daughter? 1000 baht birthday present? 30US wow!

[glenmohr]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

I have declined the offers.

After reading this, I may just give them a tip next time they offer..and still decline.

It's far more likely that it's because you are a hunsum man and the poor gals can't help themselves.

Thanks for that.

But I am in my sixties now and have not even fooled myself into believing I was "hunsum" for a long time now!

But, I do know my money still looks good!

Look Here Willyum.

You're in the wrong part of Thailand, Urge you to transfer to my region without delay.

The hotel workers here think most men are hunsum most of the time. But after 9 pm they think all men are hunsum all of the time. Gets even better after 10pm, then they will love you long time because short time is already finished by then, good luck and tip them handsomely, they really need it.

[digibum]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

I have declined the offers.

After reading this, I may just give them a tip next time they offer..and still decline.

It's far more likely that it's because you are a hunsum man and the poor gals can't help themselves.

Thanks for that.

But I am in my sixties now and have not even fooled myself into believing I was "hunsum" for a long time now!

But, I do know my money still looks good!

[elgordo38]

No matter where you live your employer is trying to wring every last ounce of labor out of your body. I thank God I am out of this slave work force. The weak will be exploited and if they fail there are 10 other bodies to take their place. Welcome to the new world order.

[springheeled jack]

this is not something new hotel and catering wages and conditions have always been poor for as long as I can remember in Europe things have changed conditions have improved staff even get paid holidays but wages are still low compared to other industries .

[user82374298374]

More than once, I have been offered "extra services" by maids and cleaners in Thai hotels. I guess this is why.

Which hotels? I want to book a reservation ASAP!

[DM07]

"It doesn't only happen in Thailand!"

The same non-sense reaction over and over and over again!

The article is about Thai- hotels (so sayeth the headline!), it is posted on the Thaivisa Forum, where most of the contributors are living in or are somewhat related to...Thailand!

Jeeeeeeezzzzus!

[SABloke]

It is also the same for Thai workers in hotels,the rates of pay is very low compared

to what some of these hotels charge for a room,one hotel my daughter worked at

they used to take money from the service charges to compensate guests for any

complaints they had,like giving free meal or comping a room,so basically the staff

were paying for the hotels mistakes, pleased to say she has found a decent hotel

that seems to value its workers,with decent pay,1000 thb birthday present,and a

guaranteed 5K min service charge.plus a 5 day week.

regards worgeordie

you let your daughter work at a hotel for what? real daughter or your new wife's daughter? 1000 baht birthday present? 30US wow!

What's wrong with working at a hotel? 5k service is on top of salary. 1k birthday cash is more than I get at my company (which i zero). Maybe his daughter is independent and doesn't ask her dad for permission to do a job. Maybe she enjoys working in hospitality. Maybe it's none of your business

[SOTIRIOS]

...basically the same for most foreigners working here...including teachers....

...at the whim of the employer....take it or leave it.....

...and if there is any difference of opinion...watch out.....

...easy to be slandered or charged with something....

[peergin]

How much can a waitress expect to earn in a medium-size hotel outside the expensive cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin? I am thinking of places like Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Khon Kaen, Ubon and the like.

[FangFerang]

Thais enslave their own people on fishing boats that drop off cargo to trolling freighters, then refuel and resupply at sea....why would anyone be surprised they do this?

I'm not.

[FangFerang]

Hospitality industry is akin to the slave trade and is a world wide problem

In the US, Busch gardens Williamsburg flies in Filipinos, has them live in bunk houses, and pays them sub-minimum wages--

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

[chiang mai]

Once again I disagree with the masses!

Mrs Chiang Mai spent three years working for Chedi Hotels in a junior role, during that time she received:

a good salary plus service charge of at least an equal amount

professionally run offsite training courses twice a year

free meals every day

a complete medical check up at a local hospital every year

annual bonus

a contributory savings plan based on hotel profits

six free nights stay in a luxury suite at a sister hotel on Bali

real career progression

When Antanara bought that hotel, many of the benefits carried over.

Best job she ever had.