Under Ministry of Labour policy, Office of Labour Affairs aboard requires to travel to visit Thai labours in order to provide them protection and ensure they receive rights and benefits in accordance with their employment contract; and meet with employers in order to promote Thai labour employment and preserve Thai labour market.
On 18 November 2010, Mr. Kamol Sawatchukeo, Minister Counselor (Labour), Mrs. Mali Wadah, Assistant on the Promotion of Overseas Employment and Mr. Nirun Ume-Mura, General Coordination Staff, along with officials from accepting organization, the Chiba Chiki Kaihatsu Kyodo Kumiai, traveled to visit Thai trainees who are training in the following 3 vegetable farms in Chiba, which is located 100 kilometer away from Tokyo in the East.
1) Tsugaya Nojo Farm: a packaged-vegetable producer grows carrot, amaranth, and garlic chives. It has 3 male trainees. Initially it accepted only one trainee but the owner was satisfied with the trainee’s work performance, diligence, and the fact that he caused no problem, he, thus, decided to accept another additional trainee each year. The first trainee will complete his training program and return to Thailand in March 2011. After that, the owner will accept 2 more Thai trainees because of an increase of the amount of work. All 3 trainees notify that they are happy and live well. The job is not so hard. Normally they receive a net income of 130,000 Yen each month. If they have to work overtime, they will receive a net income of 160,000 Yen. They are satisfied with the training, income, given tasks, accommodation, cares provided by their employer, and colleges. They want to carry on their training after they complete their 3 years training program. They normally use internet to contact their family at home because it is cheap and convenient.
2) Kogo Nojo Farm: it is a plastic-house vegetable farm. It accepts 6 Thai trainees altogether to cultivate, look after, and harvest vegetables in its 2 farms. 1) Tomato Farm: there are 2 Thai trainees looking after the farm. The farm uses modern technology to cultivate and look after tomatoes. It has water control and automatic temperature control systems. Trainees have a net income of 140,000 Yen per month. If they have to work overtime, they will receive a net income of approximately 190,000 Yen per month. They are satisfied with their training, income, given tasks, and cares provided by employer. They see that the training helps them to learn steps and techniques to cultivate good-quality tomatoes. They think they can apply these knowledge and technologies in Thailand after they complete their training program. 2) Aoi Farm (the plant has similar smell to betel leaf, normally goes well with sashimi.) It has 4 female Thai trainees training to cultivate, look after and harvest aoi using a machine to control water and temperature. Two trainees, who have just been training in the farm for 6 months, have gained a status of worker. They are happy and satisfied with training condition. They receive monthly income at the rate similar to male workers. They are determined to learn Japanese and would like to have Japanese textbooks, which Office of Labour Affairs in Japan will arrange and provide for them.
3) On this occasion, Minister Counselor (Labour) has expressed his appreciation to the 2 employers who accept Thai trainees and look after them very well. Trainees normally miss home when they go to work aboard. However, the employers have looked after trainees very well and treated them like they are the members of his family. This, therefore, lessens the effect of homesick and makes trainees determine to work, which benefits both parties. He has also expressed his appreciation to all trainees and asked them to train hard and learn Japanese agricultural techniques, which are so advanced, in order to bring it back to develop Thailand’s agricultural sector. He has told them not to waste their time in Japan and try to learn Japanese as it would help them at work and in their daily routine. He has also warned them not to be extravagant and try to save money for their future and family because they all have only one chance to train in Japan, which lasts only for 3 years and they would not be able to turn back the time. If they have problem and need advice, please contact the Office of Labour Affairs in Japan at anytime.
