BANGKOK, 4 May 2011 -Director General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare Ms. Amporn Nitisiri said 60 businesses in Thailand had been directly affected by the tsunami and quakes in Japan, resulting in over 60,000 employees earning less income.
According to Ms. Amporn, since Japan is not able to supply Thailand, its production base, with its auto and electronics parts, more working hours have been cut accordingly while some factories have been closed for the same reason.Workers losing their jobs have been paid 75% of their wage in compensation.
Most of them are employees in Samut Prakan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao and Pathum Thani provinces. However, some of the electronics and auto manufacturers have now resumed their operations in Chiang Rai and Sing Buri provinces. Ms Amporn said more industries in Thailand would be affected if more disasters occurred in Japan.
Beside auto and electronics industries, wig manufacturers are also at risks due to the situation in Japan. Meanwhile, fresh food, animal food, ceramic, aluminum, auto part and construction material producers have been hiring more workers.
