The Ministry of Labour gave clarity on the unemployment situation that is not a concern as the rate has decreased both from last month and the same period the previous year. The ministry also emphasized that the government sector provides job application services through many channels.
The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General Mr. Apinya Sujarittanan, as the ministry’s spokesperson, said that from the National Statistical Offices data, there are 38.42 million people in the workforce, of which 37.78 million people are employed. This statistic includes workers in agriculture, manufacturing, services, and trade sectors. The unemployed population is 377,000 people or 1.0 percent of the total workforce. Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate was 1.1 percent, reflecting an unemployment rate that is not problematic or worrisome. In this regard, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul has not ignored the unemployment situation. The Labour Minister views the situation as not to be worried about and has instructed the Ministry of Labour to lay out ways to help the unemployed. It has collaborated with Chulalongkorn University to create a database for future labour demand, in preparation to match demand to supply of workers. It has improved labour productivity for workers in special economic zones by establishing a personnel development institute in production technology. There is integration with the private sector to promote employment for the elderly, as well as sharing information about various situations and the needs of job positions. The ministry is also preparing to coordinate with the private sector to prepare workers for mega government projects such as the sky train connecting to 3 airports.
In addition, the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment has opened up channels to apply for jobs for the public. This includes the smart job centers and job-ready centers that were established to support recruitment for the general public and new graduates. The centers also provide advice on developing skills, career guidance, and job matching, which is currently available nationwide. The public can also find a job through LINE JOBS, job fairs, and job boxes that are spread all over the country and can contact the Employment Office in all provinces. For more information, the public can call the Ministry of Labour’s hotline at 1506, concluded Mr. Apinya.
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Division of Public Relations/News by Department of Employment/29 October 2019
