BANGKOK, 21 October 2011 – The Government has estimated that 620,000 workers have been affected career-wise by the flood crisis. A survey will be conducted on their needs in order to draw up suitable assistance measures.
The committee for rehabilitating flood victims has held a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Police General Kowit Wattana at the Government House with an aim to mull over assistance for flood-affected workers, who are believed to be numbering around 620,000. Most of the workers have reportedly become jobless as a result of their employers’ decision to halt operation amid the flood problem.
According to Labor Minister Phadermchai Sasomsab, short-term vocational training will be provided for the unemployed as part of the initial assistance while additional measures will be formulated based on information gathered in a survey. In addition, each worker will also be compensated 50 percent of his or her salary by the Social Security Office.
During the meeting, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Santi Promphat stressed to all concerned agencies to hastily lay down rehabilitation plans for flood victims, especially those in the eastern part of Bangkok who were being faced with severe flooding.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul revealed a plan to propose a budget of 1.4 billion THB to the Cabinet next week for use in the renovation of 2,396 flood-ravaged schools under the Ministry’s supervision.
