BANGKOK, Jan 2 – The number of workers being laid off as a result of Thailand’s 2011 flood, the worst in decades, is estimated at about 60,000, lower than earlier estimated, according to Department of Labour Protection and Welfare director-general Arthit Issamo.
Regarding the country’s employment outlook overview for 2012, Mr Arthit said the beginning of this year will see post-flood rehabilitation. Among 990,000 flood-affected workers, more than 600,000 have been reemployed. Some 240,000 workers have joined a scheme in which each receives a monthly wage of 2,000 baht funded by the labour ministry for three months to help reduce their losses by being unemployed.
The number of laid-off workers has so far risen to 25,000 with the remaining 30,000-40,000 workers remaining uncertain as to whether they will be made redundant or not.
Consequently, the number of those unemployed should not exceed 60,000, a number far below the figure previously estimated, the senior labour official said, adding that the exact figure is expected to be known after the New Year’s holiday.
In case more workers are to be laid off in 2012, the three-month state-funded scheme which began in Nov 2011 and last through this month could be extended, Mr Arthit said.
The scheme was kickstarted with a total budget of Bt1.8 billion with an initial disbursement of Bt 600 million dispensed through the Government Savings Bank. The total budget is not expected to be used up as some businesses have recovered sooner than expected.
Mr Arthit urged workers who are uncertain about their employment to contact provincial labour protection and welfare officials for assistance.
