On 25-30 January 2010, Mr.Withoon Sukhawathanakul, Ministerial Counselor (labour) along with chargé d’affaires and the group met with delegations of Syria and Lebanon Government, private and public sector, Thai community, local employers, and Thai workers working in Syria and Lebanon so as to strengthen diplomatic relationship, trade and investment and to expand Thai labour market. Gist as follows;
1. Syria
1.1 Labour market expansion in Syria. Syria has not hindered the employment of Thai workers. The demand of Thai workers employment depends on private sector. However, Syria is attractive for investors to invest in Spa business, jewel manufacturing and restaurant resulting in employment opportunity. The increase of investment between Thai and Syria private sector brings about the increase of Thai workers employment. Currently, both countries agreed to establish Thai-Syria Chamber of Commerce.
1.2 Working environmentand living of Thai workers; there are currently 8 Thai workers working in Syria, 4 are female workers–3 of them working as spa massager at Four Seasons Hotel, 1 of them working as housemaid and 4 are male workers— 3 of them working as jewel setting at jewel manufacturing plant and 1 of them work as chef at Japanese restaurant. Most of Thai skilled workers went to work in Syria by contacting with employer directly without paying brokerage fee. Most of them inform their journal to Department of Employment while some did not.
2. Lebanon
2.1 The opportunity of Thai labour market expansion in Lebanon; Lebanon Government has not hindered the employment of foreign workers as well but it has the rigid regulations for foreign worker employment such as collecting high rate fee in case of employing foreign workers based on skilled and knowledge level such as professional skilled labour—manager, high level technician, professional technician must pay 1,000 USD/year. However, Trade, service and industrial sector still demand to hire Thai workers such as spa business, restaurant and jewel manufacturing plant. Such businesses have potentiality to employ Thai workers. Therefore, these professional should be promoted to work in Lebanon. Furthermore, Residential Projects in Lebanon have been significantly growing leading to high opportunity for Thai worker employment.
2.2 Working environment and living of Thai workers; currently, there were 100 Thai workers working in Lebanon consisting of 17 female massages, 10 chefs and approximately 50 ornament and jewelry designers, etc. Most Thai workers are well-being and earn high salary. For example; spa massager gains 700-800 USD with 650 USD/month for a tip. They have transferred approximately 50,000 baht back to Thailand, chef gains 1,500-2,500 USD/month, CAD jewelry designer gains 1,600 USD/month and jewelry setting gains 800-1,000 USD with 100 USD for food/month, etc. Most employers understand Thai workers’ working behavior and take a good care of them. Some employers paid employment fee in Class A level so as to employ Thai skilled workers to work in their company.
In this regard, Office of Labour Affairs views that it should promote Thai Labour market extension in Syria and Lebanon and allow Thai workers to work in such countries.
