WORKERS' DREAMS SHATTERED

For all topics relating to thai labour and the social system, the plight of workers in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Isaan and Thailand, or the hardship of the migrant workers from Thailand trying to make satang in other countries etc.
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KoratCat
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WORKERS' DREAMS SHATTERED

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » So Aug 30, 2009 8:21 am

WORKERS' DREAMS SHATTERED

Collecting blueberries and cranberries in Sweden is popular among Thais who travel there to work, but contains hidden traps.

Thais, especially from northeastern provinces such as Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Khon Kaen provinces, pay hundreds of thousands of baht to companies or brokers to get them work in Sweden.

They hope to get the money back from their earnings picking berries in Swedish forests.

Because the fruit grows naturally and widely in vast tracts of forest, picking them tree by tree is hard work. The Swedes shun this kind of labour, which opens opportunities for foreign workers, including Thais. "Thai workers have patience," says a Labour Ministry source who visited workers picking berries there.

The work is similar to planting rice, which they do in their home country. They have to bend and stretch often.

Thais are keen on the work, as they can make good money.

The Employment Department may have over-sold this kind of overseas work to Thais, because they usually make less than they are promised.

The department has told workers that the fruit can sell for up to 30-40 crowns a kilogramme (150-200 baht/kg) and that collectors can pick an average of 60kg a day.

But the source said the current price was only 10 crowns a kilogramme and average pickings were only 20kg/day.

In 2006, the Swedish government imposed a tax of 57.28% on wild fruit sales. However, after complaints from businessmen and fruit collectors it struck a compromise.

In 2007, the Sweden Forest Berries Association (SBIF) invited foreign companies to do the fruit-collecting work, with a tax exemption offered to foreign fruit collectors.

Companies which recruit workers to pick fruit in Sweden are not legal employers, but merely labour brokers which charge high fees. Nor are they responsible for workers' travel, living expenses, or working conditions.


Bangkok Post Aug. 30, 2009
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974

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Re: WORKERS' DREAMS SHATTERED

Ungelesener Beitragvon KoratCat » Di Okt 13, 2009 8:18 am

Job agencies agree to partial refunds

Four job agencies that sent Thai workers to Sweden to pick wild berries have agreed to give partial refunds, Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong says.

But the amounts of money the berry pickers will receive will vary depending on the companies with which they signed their contracts.

The settlement was brokered by Mr Paitoon who called a meeting with representatives from the four job agencies - Siam Royal Services Co, Sunshine Co, Thai Blue Berry Service Co and TS Law and Business Co.

On average, those who earned less than 10,000 baht from berry picking will receive a 25% refund of 75,000 baht.

Mr Paitoon said the payment is to alleviate the hardship of almost 300 workers who recently returned home from Sweden broke and disappointed.

They had borrowed between 80,000-150,000 baht each to travel to Sweden but poor berry yields led them to make only small amounts of money.

He said the Labour Ministry will discuss the matter with the Sweden Forest Berries Association and try to guarantee minimum earnings for the workers next year.

Chaiyuth Kijsawat, managing director of Siam Royal Services, said the company can only give a 20,000 baht refund to each of the workers.

He said the firm's financial status is not so good either but it is willing settle the dispute so it will not affect the company's quota to send workers next year.

Hatsaya Kennok, a berry picker, yesterday called on labour authorities to step in to ensure fair employment.

She said it is time the government put in place a management scheme for those who seek to pick wild berries in Sweden.

Meanwhile, Sampan Sakuldee, another worker from Nakhon Ratchasima, said she and her husband took out 200,000 baht in loans to be berry pickers and are likely to lose their last land plot which was placed as collateral.

She said that the refund offered by the job agency is not enough to pay the interest on her loans.

She said that there are some 20 other couples who suffered the same fate and many of them feel their families are falling apart due to financial stress.


Bangkok Post Oct. 13, 2009
Es gibt nichts Gutes, ausser man tut es! Erich Kästner, 1899 - 1974


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