The launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015 will stir up a wide variety of labour-related problems, speakers told a seminar in Bangkok on Friday.
A tailor sews clothing at a workshop in Bangkok, on Jan. 23, 2013. Bloomberg photo.
The warnings were issued by labour unionists and representatives of other agencies.
Arunee Srito, formerly a union leader at the collapsed textile firm Thai Kriang Textile, said regional integration will bring an influx of foreign workers from countries like Laos and Cambodia, especially with the 300 baht minimum wage policy now in place.
The major consequence would be that local workers would have to learn to work from their homes to stay employed. People in cottage industries were often subject to unfair employment terms.
"The government has never issued any regulations regarding informal workers. Houses have become small factories, a loophole in the labour legislation, where employees work very long hours but lack stable income, labour protection and social security cover," said Ms Arunee.
Researcher Woradul Turarak stated: "The Asean economy is rapidly growing and the trend towards hiring part-time workers is also increasing, which negatively affects the financial stability of low-income earners."
Thailand needs to find a way to negotiate with employers so that they either hire full-time employees or give out contracts that give part-time workers fixed-duration employment, he said.
Wichai Poonkamnerd, chairman of Nam Jai Sampan Labour Union, said the government should pay heed to the importance of foreign labour laws before the AEC comes into effect.
The majority of the workforce in major industries were foreigners because Thai workers make too many demands and do not work as hard, he said.
High competitiveness could improve the quality of Thai workers, but they would lose their jobs if they fail to compete.
In the long-run, foreign labour would group together and ask for rights that current labour policies do not provide, and conflict will occur, he said.
Chadej Chaowilai, director of the Women's and Men's Progressive Movement Foundation, also warned that an increase in the number of foreign workers would give rise to several social problems.
Labour unions needed to address problems of female workers being sexually abused. Workers drinking alcohol, committing violent and other crimes was also of concern
She said unions must find ways to expand their networks to strengthen their organisations. They needed to include community representatives, so that more related groups could participate and provide support.