Teleinfo Media, the operator of Thailand's Yellow Pages telephone directory, has teamed up with the Corrections Department to set up what they call the world's first call centre manned by female inmates.
Qualified prisoners must have a vocational education or higher as well as computer skills to be hired. Teleinfo Media pays a monthly salary of 10,000 baht per person to the department, which will give half of it to the prisoners. The department will keep 35%of its share for its own use and give 15%to wardens.
Located at the Women Correctional Institution for Drug Addicts in Phathum Thani, the 1-million-baht call centre is designed to provide telephone directory service via 1188.
The project is aimed at creating jobs for prisoners and developing workforce under the group's corporate social responsibility policy, said Somprasong Boonyachai, executive chairman of InTouch, the parent firm of Teleinfo Media.
He said Teleinfo is the first private company hiring prisoners. Female prisoners can also apply for permanent jobs at the call centre after they have served their terms.
Pol Col Suchart Wongananchai, director general of the department, said qualified prisoners must have vocational education or higher and computer skills.
Teleinfo Media pays a monthly salary of 10,000 baht per person to the department, which will give half of it to the prisoners. The department will take 35% of it for its own use and give 15% to wardens.
Sanchai Thiewprasertkul, managing director of Teleinfo Media, said the company has a total 600 staff providing phone directory and ticket reservation services though the 1188 call center.
Mr Sanchai said the company has similar plans for inmates upcountry.
Teleinfo Media expects its revenue to grow by 4-5% to 700 million baht this year, he added.