The Labour Ministry is proposing a fixed wage with a minimum salary of 12,000 baht plus other benefits as an incentive for Thai workers to plug an acute labour shortage in the fishing industry.
Employment Department chief Anurak Thotsarat said a fixed wage for fishing crew is being mulled to tackle the shortage which is expected to get worse after work permits for migrant workers expired on Nov 1.
He said the ministry has put the proposal to the Thai Fishery Association and some fishing operators have showed a positive response.
Apart from the 12,000 baht minimum salary, crewmen will also receive free food, housing and insurance against death and accidents. Skilled and experienced people can expect to be paid more, Mr Anurak said.
Fishing operators will need to sign employment contracts which will specify wages, welfare and other benefits, he said.
Mr Anurak said the government is scheduled to hold talks with Myanmar authorities this month on the recruitment of Myanmar workers to work in the fishing sector under a government-to-government (G2G) deal.
The Myanmar workers will be eligible to receive the same benefits as their Thai counterparts, he said, adding Thai workers interested in working in the fishing industry are being urged to contact the department.
Last month, authorities launched the registration of Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar workers wanting to work on fishing trawlers. This would allow migrant workers to work temporarily in Thailand and offset the manpower shortage.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare is intensifying efforts to curb human trafficking and labour exploitation as the government moves to clean up Thailand's image in this area.
Department acting chief Ananchai Uthaipattanacheep said the efforts will focus on three areas: Eliminating the worst forms of child labour; preventing human trafficking; and better protecting the rights of fishing crew.