Thailand tackles unemployment with million jobs expo

[webfact]

Thailand tackles unemployment with million jobs expo

By Orathai Sriring and Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

People stand in a queue at the Job Expo Thailand 2020, as the country is offering one million jobs as part of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) relief efforts, in Bangkok, Thailand, September 26, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Thais on Saturday flocked to a government-organised job expo with more than a million jobs up for grabs as it works to stem mounting unemployment in an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy could shrink by a record 8.5% this year, with its key tourism sector taking a beating, the government predicts, leaving young and old alike searching for work.

 

More than 570 booths, from public organisations, private firms and for roles overseas, were set up for job seekers at a "JOB EXPO THAILAND 2020" in Bangkok, which runs until Monday.

 

"I got laid off," said 23-year-old Chanissara Prommas. "I used to work for Hong Kong Airlines, but the company couldn't deal with the cost, so they had to let go some of the staff".

 

Teera Magaumpai, 50, who lost his job after 30 years in the tourist sector, said the big crowd reflected huge unemployment and "elders have to fight with first jobbers".

 

Some of Thailand's biggest firms were among those offering jobs, including agribusiness Charoen Pokphand Foods <CPF.BK>, Telecoms firm True Corp <TRUE.BK> and energy group PTT <PTT.BK>, which is majority owned by the government.

 

Although Thailand, which has suffered just 3,522 coronavirus infections, has lifted most restrictions and daily life and work is mostly back to normal, a ban on foreign tourists remains in place, cutting a swathe through a whole sector of career opportunities.

 

About 1.24 million jobs will be offered - with most in the private sector, and a little over 100,000 in roles overseas. Of that total, the government will help companies pay half in hiring 260,000 new graduates for a year.

 

"People are the most important part of the country and for moving it forward," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said as he opened the event.

 

The job offer is part of relief measures as the government has introduced a 1.9 trillion baht ($60 billion) package to mitigate the impact of the outbreak.

 

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, estimated job losses at a record 2.5-3.0 million this year, with more than a million in the tourist sector. Thailand has a workforce of about 38 million.

 

The government predicts just 6.7 million foreign visitors this year after last year's record 39.8 million visitors, whose spending made up about 11.4% of GDP.

 

($1 = 31.62 baht)

 

(Additional reporting by Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Editing by Alison Williams)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-28

 

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[RichardColeman]

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

About 1.24 million jobs will be offered - with most in the private sector, and a little over 100,000 in roles overseas.

The thought of any country suddenly being able to employ 1.25 million people or 3% of its populace in a world economy crashed pandemic is just plain ridiculous. I feel sorry for all these people turning up with false hope only to be crushed again.

[Grumpy John]

It's a huge undertaking and I doubt it will work out as well as expected.  I have a suspicion companies will employ new people who come with the government's  50% subsidy but let go other people already employed by the same company.  It's the way big companies work that makes me suspect that.   I am guessing some bean counters have already crunched the numbers. 

[ezzra]

So let me understand something here, those 1.24 million jobs just materialized out of thin air or they have been there all the time? if if they have been there why no one took them? and how a country can create 1.24 million jobs just like that? and a 100,000 coveted overseas jobs to boost that no one took so far? i think this expo is just a hot air for the government to show but delver very little...

[SoilSpoil]

At least a hundred thousand people are needed to clean up the once pristine beaches. Great job, spend time on the beach, pick up some litter and go for a swim. Be creative. Another 100k could put out the fires in the north in the coming months.

[Damrongsak]

Governments don't create jobs, they already have them.  Suddenly, there are over a million jobs available?  Hmmm ...

 

[Yinn]

21 minutes ago, ezzra said:

So let me understand something here, those 1.24 million jobs just materialized out of thin air or they have been there all the time? if if they have been there why no one took them? and how a country can create 1.24 million jobs just like that? and a 100,000 coveted overseas jobs to boost that no one took so far? i think this expo is just a hot air for the government to show but delver very little...

Immigration new rule since covid is no new work permit for foreigner.

 

Most foreign worker already here can report to continue work. But thousands already refuse. Will more difficult now to have foreign worker. Up to the situation.

 

thailand have 3 million foreign worker. A lot from Burma, Laos, Kambodia, Philippines, etc.

Is possible for thailand refuse them. = 3 million job for Thai people. 

 

My freind take his Burmese worker to report last week.

Immigration worker explain new way. 

[Henryford]

Easy to create jobs, who creates the customers with money to fund them.

[djayz]

34 minutes ago, SoilSpoil said:

Great job, spend time on the beach, pick up some litter and go for a swim.

"Too hot for working na".  

[djayz]

22 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Immigration new rule since covid is no new work permit for foreigner.

 

Most foreign worker already here can report to continue work. But thousands already refuse. Will more difficult now to have foreign worker. Up to the situation.

 

thailand have 3 million foreign worker. A lot from Burma, Laos, Kambodia, Philippines, etc.

Is possible for thailand refuse them. = 3 million job for Thai people. 

 

My freind take his Burmese worker to report last week.

Immigration worker explain new way. 

You have a very valid point Yinn, but, there is a reason why 3 m foreign workers are employed here. They do the jobs the locals don't want to do and/or they cost even less than the Thais. 

I know a few small businesses in Korat which point blank refuse to employ locals, or their cousins from neighbouring Laos, because they are "too lazy" and "no good" (their words). Cambodians and Burmese, on the other hand, are accepted with open arms as they are reliable, diligent and try hard. 

Forcing businesses to drop the preferred foreign staff in favour of keeping lazy and no good locals in employment isn't good for business. 

The last option we should be looking at is putting these companies under even more pressure. 

Edited September 28, 2020 by djayz

[Yinn]

6 minutes ago, djayz said:

You have a very valid point Yinn, but, there is a reason why 3 m foreign workers are employed here. They do the jobs the locals don't want to do and/or they cost even less than the Thais. 

I know a few small businesses in Korat which point blank refuse to employ locals, or their cousins from neighbouring Laos, because they are "too lazy" and "no good" (their words). Cambodians and Burmese, on the other hand, are accepted with open arms as they are reliable, diligent and try hard. 

Forcing businesses to drop the preferred foreign staff in favour of keeping lazy and no good locals in employment isn't good for business. 

The last option we should be looking at is putting these companies under even more pressure. 

Yes, Burmese worker is best. Good skills, come everyday, polite. 

 

But thailand must take care thai first= new immigration rule. The foreign worker send 50% salary back there country. If Thai worker the money not go away. 

And 

India covid the most now. Burma and India have border together. Burma increase covid same. 

 

For thai economy and Thai health is necessary stop foreign worker now. 

 

Burmese worker majority is hotel, restaurant, maid and construction.

Hotel and restaurant problem six month already.

This month many construction job finish same. Thousands construction workers now want the job. 

Before good skills Burmese worker 600 per day. Now they offer 400.

Burmese low skills before 3-400. Now nobody want, not have job.

 

Must be careful. If they have no money= will stolen.

[djayz]

8 minutes ago, Yinn said:

The foreign worker send 50% salary back there country

...and the rest is spent locally, thus supporting the host country's economy. 

 

8 minutes ago, Yinn said:

If they have no money= will stolen.

I think it's safe to say this applies to every person on the planet, not just the Burmese living here.

[madmitch]

Why are all the applicants wearing exactly the same clothes?

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Tens of thousands of Thais on Saturday flocked to a government-organised job expo with more than a million jobs up for grabs as it works to stem mounting unemployment in an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

How can 1.24 million jobs suddenly become available that haven't been offered over the last 4 months?

Either companies laid-off many and are now topping up or there is a plan at foot to employ new staff with the government aid of paying 50% wages then letting go some other staff to off-set the numbers employed.

 

[Bender Rodriguez]

communism in thailand you say ?

[garzhe]

4 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

Governments don't create jobs, they already have them.  Suddenly, there are over a million jobs available?  Hmmm ...

 

Yes menial jobs that Thais dont want. Went to 3 car washes last week, all too busy. Say no staff Cambodians gone home. Plenty of Thais out of work here I said. Response was "Haha Thai not like this work"  But they are happy to stand in the rain for 2 hours for a hand out of food.

[Deli]

5 hours ago, Yinn said:

Yes, Burmese worker is best. Good skills, come everyday, polite. 

 

But thailand must take care thai first= new immigration rule. The foreign worker send 50% salary back there country. If Thai worker the money not go away. 

And 

India covid the most now. Burma and India have border together. Burma increase covid same. 

 

For thai economy and Thai health is necessary stop foreign worker now. 

 

Burmese worker majority is hotel, restaurant, maid and construction.

Hotel and restaurant problem six month already.

This month many construction job finish same. Thousands construction workers now want the job. 

Before good skills Burmese worker 600 per day. Now they offer 400.

Burmese low skills before 3-400. Now nobody want, not have job.

 

Must be careful. If they have no money= will stolen.

My Thai co- worker lost her job and was complaining about ' no money '. Asked her why not looking for a jpb in contruction. Work too hsrd snd too hot was the answer. Go figure. This attitude is wide spread. Watching stupid vids in an AC cooled office for sure was more pleasant

[sammieuk1]

That will be 999999 new generals and one private doing the country proud ????

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, Deli said:

My Thai co- worker lost her job and was complaining about ' no money '. Asked her why not looking for a jpb in contruction. Work too hsrd snd too hot was the answer. Go figure. This attitude is wide spread. Watching stupid vids in an AC cooled office for sure was more pleasant

Be fair , the UK employs a million or so european fruit pickers every year due to the bone idleness of a million benefit claimants !

Edited September 28, 2020 by RichardColeman

[johng]

1 hour ago, Deli said:

why not looking for a jpb in contruction. Work too hsrd snd too hot was the answer

Well she is right  it's bloody hard work  in hot humid conditions, blazing sun for a pittance of pay per day

try heaving bag after bag of 50 kilogram sand,cement and rubble to and from a truck for a few hours

then mix it by hand !  or running up and down 3 flights of stairs with a few boxes of ceramic tiles.

 

Of course there are some less physically exhausting construction jobs but they require training and skill.

[johng]

1 minute ago, RichardColeman said:

Be fair , the UK employs a million or so european fruit pickers every year due to the bone idleness of a million benefit claimants !

I would have done that job (at least tried to)..was at the "employment" office for months  they never offered me a job like that...no jobs at the post office, NHS or even as a bin man..all taken by "immigrants" who will work for minimum wage, maximum hours no questions asked put up with bad conditions and (mostly) share living quarters with friends and send  90% of their earnings home to their countries (Poland)

 

[nausea]

You can't make bricks without straw, and no matter how many job expos you have, a diminishing labour market means hard times are here. The obvious solution is to kick out all the immigrants and have Thais doing the hard labour, menial jobs, good luck with that. Tried it in the UK and it went nowhere. Like my generation, at least me, would mop floors and work on building sites to make a few extra pennies during college vacation time, try this with the new entitled generation, no way. Amazing how a generation or two can soften you up, as a people. But I pall in comparison to my father - chimney sweep, window cleaner, television repair man, all in addition to a full time job, anything to make a buck.

Edited September 28, 2020 by nausea
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