On July 6, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin assigned Advisor to the Labour Minister Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan to visit the area and observe the organic agriculture project the sufficiency way, to drive good labour relations projects following the sufficiency economy method in the workplace. From this, employers and employees can be self-reliant, following the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to increase economic value, generate income and reduce expenses under economic and social crisis, to promote employers and employees to have a good quality of life and sustainably. The visit took place at Saraburi Sugar Co., Ltd., located at 188 Moo 1, Kham Pran, Wang Muang, Saraburi. The Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson (on politics), Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat, and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Mrs. Udomlak Sonsaree, also joined the occasion. The company president Khun Ukrit Asadathorn, Deputy Director of Sales and Marketing Khun Nicha Asadathorn, and Factory General Manager Mr. Wararak Supanun, of Saraburi Sugar Co., Ltd., welcomed the visiting committee.
Saraburi Sugar Co., Ltd. is in the sugar production business. At present, there are 1,564 employees, all of whom are Thais and no foreigners. The company strictly complies with relevant laws such as labour protection and safety laws. It has good labour relations, labour welfare arrangements, work uniforms, housing benefits, and drug prevention and treatment programs. It was certified as a “white factory” by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. The “To Be Number One Club” was also established in the company. Saraburi Sugar Co., Ltd. started the “organic agriculture project the sufficiency way” in 2019. Sixty-six employees participated. The project occupies 725 rai of the establishment, allocating four rai of agricultural land, which will expand to 7 rai to grow vegetables such as morning glory, kale, lettuce, green beans, eggplant, pumpkin, chili, basil, galangal, lemongrass, vegetables and fruits such as bananas, egg bananas, golden bananas, melons, cotton cane, and animal husbandry for frogs, chickens, and ducks. Employees can exchange the produce and take it home for consumption. This helps reduce household expenses from 2,000 – 3,000 Baht/person/month and increases income. By implementing innovation, molasses are introduced, the leftover material from the production process to be composted to make fertilizer used in agricultural plots and distributed to the community and those interested.
Mrs. Thiwalrat said the good labor relations project following the sufficiency economy philosophy is a response to the royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and His Majesty’s determination to carry on, preserve and build on projects arising from the Royal Initiative of New Theory Agriculture to encourage employers and employees to be self-reliant under critical situations. Following the guidelines of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, employers must adapt and learn to be self-reliant. The grouping helps develop careers by using existing resources such as land or areas around the business establishment to cultivate plants and crops or raise animals. The product can be used for consumption to help reduce the burden of living expenses at the sufficiency economy’s core. People can develop and use the remaining produce from consumption to sell in the community to increase income or develop a new career. The sufficiency economy philosophy will help employers and employees be immune and sustainably overcome obstacles in the face of critical crises.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Division of Public Relations
6 July 2021
