On 16 May 2012, Mrs. Chantana Boonarj, Minister Counsellor (labour affairs) , Miss. Chitlada Bumrungchit, translator and Mr. Niran Umemura, general coordinator all together visited KASUMIKOUGYOU KYODOU KUMIAI in Ibaraki and met 9 employers and 29 Thai trainees. They checked the employment nature and moved forward labour protection and Thai labour market expansion.
The president of the organization informed that since the foundation year of 2002, the organization has accepted foreign trainees from China and Vietnam to work in industrial plant. However, after the largest earthquake in 2011, the Chinese trainees returned to their home country immediately without compliance with the agreed terms causing of labour shortage and damages to employers. IM Japan therefore accepted only 5 male Thai trainees in September 2011 and 24 male Thai trainees in February 2012 totally 29 persons. At the first time accepting Thai trainees, the IM Japan was concerned about acculturation and communication but after that they have found that Thai workers are hard-working, patient, and punctilious, also followed through the rules. In 2013, the IM Japan plans to accepts 30 more Thai trainees. However, it asked the office to warn Thai workers about alcohol and do more practice of Japanese language. It is believed that the visit and support from Office of Labour Affairs would ensure employer and opportunity for labour market expansion in Ibaraki.
The minister counselor and the group visited the workplaces as follows;
– OKADA BANKIN CO.,LTD ; there are 6 Thai trainees work as press technician
– N.H.K. Engineering Co.,Ltd : there are 3 Thai trainees work as press technician
– SANZENNEN CO.,LTD. ; there are 3 Thai trainees work as painter.
– Minori Giken Co.,Ltd ; there are 3 Thai trainees work as steel painter
– MARUSHIN TOUSOU CO.,LTD; there are 2 Thai trainees work as painter
– Edogawa Kinzoku Seisakusho Co.,Ltd; there are 3 Thai trainees work as press technician
– Sannou Tokou Co.,Ltd ; there are 3 Thai trainees work as steel painter.
– Takatsuka Seisakusho Co.,Ltd; there are 3 Thai trainees work as press technician.
– Toukou Kougyou Co.,Ltd; there are 3 Thai trainees work as steel painter.
The minister counselor also gave moral support to Thai trainees of 9 companies and informed that the IM Japan and the employers have appreciated and expected the achievement of the first batch, hence, please constantly behave well in order to be a model for the next batch. She also asked them to avoid drinking alcohol in working days because it might cause a death due to machine accident. In addition, she warned them not to fall in to a trap of persons inducing to flee to work since it is against the laws and disparage national image. Any problems, please contact the office of labour affairs for advices. She also asked them to save money for their family and continuously practise Japanese language to be able to communicate with employers since having Japanese language proficiency would bring more opportunity to work with Japanese firms after returning to Thailand. She further asked them to use safety equipments prepared by the employers, keep themselves healthy by doing exercise. Lastly, she delivered t-shirts, dried foods, newspaper, Thai magazines and face mask to Thai trainees.
