Take off for an ASEAN job

 Thai mid-management staff working in hotels and tourism should seek employment in other ASEAN countries to broaden their work experience, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports advises.

The tourism ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Thanita Savetsila Maneechote, said the ministry will hold talks with the Ministry of Labour and the tourism private sector to create incentives to encourage Thai labour to apply for jobs in ASEAN countries once the single market kicks off late 2015.

“The plan will encourage labour movement and enhance skills and experience as well as create revenue for the country,” the deputy permanent secretary explained.

Besides ASEAN, the ministry wants the experiment to include South Korea, China and Japan, although there are stricter work permit requirements in those countries.

Industry observers point out that it would have to be a two-way street. If more Thais move overseas to fill mid-management posts it will leave gaps for the tourism and hospitality industries to fill here in Thailand. Work permit rules in Thailand also need to be eased to make it practical and convenient for ASEAN citizens to work in Thailand.

“The weak point for our labour is language which results in fewer Thais working abroad,” she said.

Once the free trade era is introduced in late 2015, there could be an influx of workers from Laos, Philippines and Myanmar. This needs to be balanced by Thais taking up opportunities in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, where salaries are higher than in Thailand.

Under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals, there are 32 positions in six labour divisions available to workers from all member countries.

In Thailand, the work permit conditions will remain valid as a concession to national interests. Similar concessions were made in the other countries.

The six labour divisions are divided into categories: Four in hotel services including front office, housekeeping, food production and food and beverage services; two in travel services comprising of travel agencies and tour operators.

Sourced: ttrweekly