Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour Police General Adul Saengsingkeaw and committee visited Chonburi to listen to the problems of businesses and workers affected by Covid-19. The committee also followed up on the Labour Management Center in the Eastern Economic Corridor on its readiness to support unemployment and develop a career from the new way of life. The visiting committee also observed companies with good employment models.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour Police General Adul Saengsingkeaw said that today (August 20, 2020), the Senate Labour Committee, the Ministry of Labour’s executive committee and Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat joined a visit to Chonburi, to listen to the people and business’ issues and monitor the situation affecting workers from the Covid-19 pandemic. The visiting committee also followed up on each sector’s readiness to prepare for unemployment issues, career development based on New Normal practices and operations of the Labour Management Center in the Eastern Economic Corridor. The committee traveled to two areas. The first was the Chonburi City Hall, with Governor of Chonburi Mr. Phakthorn Thianchai giving a welcome.
Police General Adul said that the second place that they visited King Pack Industrial Company Limited, located at 333 Moo 4, Nong Mai Daeng, Mueang, Chonburi. The company is a plastic bags manufacturer under the HERO brand. The committee received a briefing to understand the Covid-19 impacts on the factory and the need for labour. Currently, there are more than 2,500 employees, divided into the production department with 2,300 people, representing 55% of Thais and 45% of Cambodian nationals. There is around 200 office staff. The company’s welfare system for employees includes the Social Security Fund, the Workmen’s Compensation Fund, group insurance, a diligence allowance, loan, meals, and other benefits. This company is an establishment with a good employment system. During the Covid-19 period, there was an increase in employment due to an increase in orders. The Ministry of Labour has supported the company in providing Thai people to hire instead of foreign workers. The company has a systematic labour movement process.
Police General Adul reported that Chonburi has 16,247 establishments and 756,599 employees. There are 10,237 vacancies, with a total of 878,795 insured persons. The workers comprise 135,945 foreign workers. There is a demand for 1,759 marine fishers and 761 fishers. A total of 97,751 workers claimed unemployment benefits from force majeure due to Covid-19, and a total of 756.07 million Baht has been paid in compensation. Seven companies have done layoffs or shut down, whereby 4,523 employees have used Section 75. There are 482 companies with 351,311 employees. From hearing about the labour situation in the area, whereby the Covid-19 situation has improved, from now on, the government will have to drive various areas to promote employment among people affected by Covid-19. This includes job searching and upskilling/reskilling to have better skill levels following the needs of businesses, and towards a guarantee of stability in life in the future.
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Division of Public Relations
20 August 2020
