39 factories close due to flood

Thailand’s flood crisis has initially forced 39 factories to shut their doors, leading to unemployment for more than 10,000 workers, according to Minister of Labour Phadermchai Sasomsab.

Mr Phadermchai said that the factories are located in various industrial estates and parks and are mainly automobile spare part plants, resulting in unemployment for 10,957 workers.

However, the minister said, there is nothing to worry about as the workers are protected under their employment contracts, and they will be compensated and received added benefits.

Moreover, the ministry is currently listing over 100,000 job vacancies, he said.

The ministry and the industrial entrepreneurs also have agreements that if any factories request assistance from the government, they cannot lay off their staff, said the minister.

Mr Phadermchai said the problems the ministry has foreseen was the shortage of labour because some workers are reluctant to return to work being worried that flooding may occur again, and they don’t have confidence that the entrepreneurs would continue their businesses.

Four of seven flooded industrial estates and parks in the central provinces of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani are already drained, while the three others are pumping floodwater from their areas.

All seven estates and parks were expected to resume full operations soon.

Mcot.net