The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General and committee visited Thai workers in the spa and massage business in Bahrain. The committee reported that the Thai workers had good living conditions, with suitable accommodation and welfare, earning an income of 30,000 – 40,000 Baht per month. The committee emphasized legal entry for work to ensure protection and suggested learning the local language for more efficient communication at work.
On June 22, 2019, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General Mr. Tawat Benchatikul together with the Department of Employment’s Inspector-General Mrs. Paween Weechit, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare’s Inspector-General Mr. Manoj Saenggaew, the Social Security Office’s Inspector-General Ms. Sumnatha Praisuwanna and the Director from the Office of Inspection and Evaluation, Office of the Permanent Secretary Mr. Achwin Pujchakan visited the Labour Office in Bahrain, Minister Counsellor (on Labour) Lieutenant Witawat Kooprasert, from the Labour Office in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) which covers Bahrain, welcomed the visiting committee and visited the Thai workers at the the “Tom Yum Kung” restaurant, owned by a Thai national, who rents the premises. The 5 Thai workers were all women, mostly from Khon Kaen and Udon Thani and relatives to the shop owner. The workers received a salary of nearly 20,000 Baht with welfare including accommodation and 3 free meals, which were satisfactory to all Thai workers.
On June 23, 2019, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General Mr. Tawat Benchatikul and committee visited the Labour Office in Bahrain and was welcomed by the Minister Counsellor (on Labour) from the Labour Office in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) which covers Bahrain. In the morning, he met with Mr. Thanit Na Songkhla, Ambassador of Thailand to Manama, to discuss government matters. At present, 8,000 Thais are working in Bahrain, comprising 3,000 legal workers and the remainder are illegal. The Labour Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were able to work with the Thai Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, whereby the ministry’s Inspector-General emphasized that Thai workers seeking work in Bahrain ensure legitimacy to be taken care of and protected by law. He also said that it is essential that before Thai workers travel to work in Bahrain, they should attend training to learn English to be able to communicate well, which will benefit them highly. In addition, before traveling, he advised workers to study the information clearly and to not fall for illegal agents deceiving and persuading people to work in the massage business claiming high incomes, as it may be a scam for the trade of illegal services. He also advised the workers not to get associated with drugs or illicit imports as Bahrain has strict enforcement of laws.
On the same day, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General and committee, along with the Minister Counsellor (on Labour) from the Labour Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, traveled to visit Thai workers at ANN’S SPA, Al-Safir Hotel. They met with Ms. Supaporn Kanjanathanakom, a Thai owner who has operated spa massage services for 16 years, with 5 branches and over 80 Thai massage staff. From discussions, all staff had traveled to work legally and during operations, there was no hidden trade or wrong service. From the examination of the Thai massage room and spa, the walls were found unaligned with the ceiling with a 50 cm gap in every room. Each massage therapist earns 30,000 – 40,000 Baht per month with accommodation, 3 meals and health insurance for all employees. The shop asked the Ministry of Labour to consider supporting the labour standards assessments of Thai massage and spa therapies for 50 masseuses and help to provide additional Thai massage staff and spa therapists as there is still a lot of demand.
The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General and committee also assessed the performance of the Labour Office in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Minister Counsellor (on Labour) Lieutenant Witawat Kooprasert reported the results of operations in various areas of responsibility and status in the implementation of projects/activities, where no problems were found. On this opportunity, the Inspector-General emphasized helping Thai workers to act quickly and in the event of a significant event to report the matter to the ministry’s executives immediately. The Inspector-General also asked to work closely with the Thai embassy, working together as team Thailand to drive labour missions to success. In the evening, Mr. Thanit Na Songkhla, Ambassador of Thailand to Manama, Bahrain, welcomed the Inspector-General and committee at the embassy in Manama, Bahrain, where they discussed the labour situation in Bahrain before dinner.
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News by Division of Public Relations/
Photos by Bureau of International Cooperation/
24 June 2019/
