There are many differences between Western industry and Thai manufacturing management, and the Automotive Focus Group’s June meeting was designed as a Q and A to highlight and discuss three topics:
– Are allowances included as part of base wage – or should they be included in overtime payments?
– Are the company’s employee rules and regulations that are submitted to the Dept. of Labour actually of any use in a dispute?
– Is there a shortage of skilled labour – what areas are particularly difficult to obtain?
The panel was headed by Supachai Manusphaibool, who has his own consultancy and distinguished career in the area of Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and Thai Labour Law. He is a Lecturer on Labour Law and Industrial Relations at the Chulalongkorn University and also publishes the Thai Labour Chronicle.
Backing him up was Sukkamon Sopachote (Candy) – the Human resources manager for Ford with moderator being ably carried out by Mike Diamente. The debate was held in the splendid auditorium of the Holiday Inn and attracted more than 50 attendees.
Tackling the first subject of allowances versus wages, it was brought out that any expense requiring verification is not considered as wages; however, Supachai brought out the fact that the two government bodies of Labour Protection and Social Security can differ in their approaches to a workforce problem.
Discussions were held in the seminar regarding employees jumping from employer to employer. According to Candy, this was a Thai trait, and for many members, this subject continued on in the networking event held in the Havana Bar.
Supachai highlighted extraneous economic factors, with Supply and Demand dictating employee turnover.
A shortage of skilled workers was examined in depth, with definition of “skills” being different between the panel members and the audience. Supachai stating that “skill” was in reality, just “experience”. This could be judged during the new staff member’s probation period.
This situation can be undermined by a lack of professional honesty in some HR officers where bias can be found in relationships and schools attended. This was another ‘political’ hot potato and brought different reactions amongst the members of the AFG.
This was an excellent evening and finished in the Havana Bar.
To contact the AFG email President Frank Holzer at [email protected]
