Most Thai workers say they are generally happy at their jobs, but many want the new government to increase the minimum wage to match the cost of living and provide better medical benefits, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Institution, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted between April 19-21 on 1,256 workers throughout the country -- aged 18 and over with various levels of education -- to gauge their happiness at work and find out what they want the government to do to help improve their quality of life in the workplace.
Responding to a "Happy Work Life" questionaire from Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), 64.89% said they have a happy work life; 27.39% have a very happy work life; 6.93% said they do not have a happy work life; and 0.79% said they are not happy at all at their jobs.
Asked what they want the new government to do to help the Thai labour force, 47.13% want an increase in the minimum wage to match the cost of living; 21.97% an increase in medical benefits; 11.31% promotion of work skills; 10.59% a solution to the unemployment problem; 6.69% preventing employers from taking advantage of their employees; 2.07% stopping migrant workers taking their jobs; and 0.24% lower taxes.
Asked in what field they want their work skills to improve, 38.69% cited foreign languages; 12.90% technical skills; 10.19% computing; 7.40% food and beverages; 6.93% social media; 6.53% construction work; 5.41% car and motorcycle repairs; 4.86% electrical and electronics skills; 3.50% tailoring; 0.88% hairdressing; and 2.71% had no comment.