Companies in Bangkok are allowing workers, especially those sick or pregnant, to work from home to avoid exposure to toxic PM2.5 dust. With schools closed this week, both the private and public sectors are attempting to safeguard the most vulnerable from the unprecedented pollution.
Banks are letting employees work from home as long as it does not disrupt operations and affect customers.
Bank of Ayudhya (BAY), Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungthai Bank, GH Bank and Government Savings Bank are allowing pregnant workers and employees with allergies to work from home. Some banks are offering the privilege to employees who need to take care of children home from school due to pollution.
Workers at BAY's head office at Ploenchit Tower were allowed to change their lunch hours to reduce congestion at the canteen.
Vitai Ratanakorn, secretary-general of the Government Pension Fund (GPF), said the fund adopted a temporary work-from-home policy for pregnant women and employees affected by the dust, even those without medical certificates, as there is an IT system to complete daily tasks.
"As the leaser of three buildings located in Bangkok's business districts, the GPF manages air quality in these buildings through ventilation and testing," Mr Vitai said.
BBL Asset Management, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and retail groups MBK and Central Group also announced a work-from-home policy for some employees this week.
Pattera Dilokrungthirapop, chairwoman of the Association of Securities (Asco), said the association will discuss the work-from-home policy next week.
Since securities trading has to be conducted in accordance with customer demand and in line with the SET's operating hours, the policy could affect customer service, Mrs Pattera said.
Securities executives are formulating contingency plans to continue business operations amid Bangkok's worsening air quality, such as providing masks, examining air quality in workplaces and allowing employees vulnerable to dust particles to take leave or work at home, she said.
The governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), Viboon Rerksirithai, said he is concerned about the safety of all employees, especially those working in the central region, namely the Egat head offices in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon, Wang Noi and Nakhon Thai.
Egat has distributed safety masks to employees for safety and advised them to check air pollution levels online, as Egat monitors the level of dust particles in the central region 24 hours a day. Egat plans to install water sprays at its buildings in an attempt to reduce smog in the central region.
Yuttana Jiamtragan, vice-president for corporate administration at Siam Cement Group, said the company has distributed N95 safety masks to the employees. The company advises employees to wear the masks when outdoors and 10-15 minutes after going indoors.
SCG is also letting employees work from home if they cannot commute.