01.05.09 PM to labour: Government well-prepared for economic crisis
Source: TNA
BANGKOK, May 1 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged
Thailand’s labour not to panic in reaction to the global economic
crisis which led to the problem of lay-offs, and appealed to them to
have confidence in the government’s ability to solve the financial
crisis systematically, and successfully overcome the critical period.
In his message marking Labour Day, Mr. Abhisit admitted that this
year was another year of difficulty in labour situation as many
countries worldwide including Thailand were facing one of the worse
economic downturn in the history.
More exporters and tourism companies were hardest hit, he said,
adding that some had been forced to close, which impacted the workforce.
The prime minister said it was projected that some 800,000 workers
would be laid off in 2009 and that new graduates expecting to enter the
job market would be severely affected.
The government had realised the situation, the prime minister said,
and is working to find the best solution, attempting to run the
country’s entire economic system to weather the crisis with the least
impact.
In the field of labour force, he said, the government had initiated
a project on the training programme to help the jobless people to have
skills in various fields which could help them to settle with new
careers or return to employment.
Mr. Abhisit added that the government would also follow up to help the unemployed receive full benefits after being laid off.
The government had also given more attention to help protect the
labour rights of informal workers, he said, adding that the ministries
concerned would give them more protection. (TNA)
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