BANGKOK, 19 June 2017 (NNT) – Members of the fisheries industry have lamented a labor shortage of up to 74,000 people with as many as 4,000 ships docked due to a lack of workers, saying discussions are to be held with Myanmar to attract immigrant laborers.
Vice President of the Thai Fisheries Association Sarawut Towasakul has made known fishers across the nation are suffering under a shortage of laborers with figures from a survey taken on June 12 indicating a shortfall of up to 74,000 people and up to 30 percent of boats, or 4,000 fishing vessels, having to remain docked because of the lack of workers.
He noted however that the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labor has scheduled a discussion with the Myanmar government this June 29 to July 1 to seek the legal immigration of laborers. The state has set minimum wage for fisheries laborers at between 10 and 12,000 baht or 350 baht per day as well as required medical expenses and housing be covered.
The fisheries association has pointed out that if the labor shortage continues, seafood products over the next 3-4 months could rise by 50 percent.
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