On February 3, 2021, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumol Pinyosinwat revealed that the spread of the Covid-19 virus since the first wave until now has continued to affect the companies and the workforce. Many businesses have shut down after the new wave of outbreaks. The news presented that the Marigot Jewelry (Thailand) factory in Bang Pu Industrial Estate, Samut Prakan, closed to combine with the factory in Ayutthaya. Over 2,600 employees lost their jobs, most of whom were women. More workers are expected to be laid off. The government under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan overseeing the Ministry of Labour, is concerned about the workforce and has urged action to help those affected.
The Deputy Labour Minister said that the laid-off workers must change their type of employment from the formal sector to become informal workers, developing their skills to have the knowledge and a diversity of skills, which is important. They must add new career channels, becoming self-employed or becoming a new entrepreneur. The Department of Skill Development (DSD), which is the main unit for skill development, have agencies located across the country. Currently, there are many applications for training to help workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, the Ubon Ratchathani Skill Development Institute 7 has launched training in 12 courses, such as Thai food entrepreneurs, household and small commercial refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, electrical building wiring technicians, welders, and aluminum frame builders. The Chaing Mai Skill Development Institute has started bartending courses, and the Bangkok Skill Development Institute has commenced training on food and nutrition management on board. Additionally, there are courses suitable for women workers, such as techniques for building a shop and selling products online, production of advertising media and short films with smartphones, creating infographics for travel and service businesses, using a smartphone for business, and art and invention work. Visit www.dsd.go.th for more detail.
For workers who want to enter the employment system, especially in the EEC area, the Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Academy (MARA), which is the Training Excellent Center of the DSD, has announced training courses to develop the potential of the workforce to support high technology innovation in 14 courses such as robot operator technicians, industrial robot control for work, simulation of production processes, production planning with the TECNOMATIX program and manufacturing machinery fields.
The Deputy Labour Minister said that another way to find work is to view job vacancies at the Department of Employment or apply online at www.thaimeengarntum.com, a website that collects employment information and various training courses. Users can search for jobs that they are interested in and match with job positions based on their knowledge and capabilities, including work experience or existing skills.
“All workers must develop themselves to be knowledgeable, to increase opportunities for themselves in their career, whether they are working independently or with an employer. The workforce must be prepared for a new career in the New Normal when this situation is resolved and the economy has recovered. I would like to reiterate that the government will help and support the people,” concluded the Deputy Labour Minister.
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Division of Public Relations
3 February 2020
