Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul has denied there is high unemployment in Thailand, claiming the jobless rate is only 1%.
During a visit to Kanchanaburi, the minister dismissed mounting job losses as being quite small.
"Most people leaving their jobs are doing so for new ones. Thailand's economy is also changing. We are upgrading the workforce and industry, as evidenced by more than three million migrant workers who are taking demanding jobs Thais avoid. It is better to let them do jobs that improve their skills," he said.
The minister also said Thailand's minimum wage rate is appropriate when compared with national income.
"Thailand pays fair minimum wages. They are not below or above the national income benchmark," he said.
He also assured casual workers that the Labour Ministry has implemented policies on high income and health insurance.
Nevertheless, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare is rushing to help 230 laid-off employees in Nakhon Pathom after a clothing company shut down recently.
Apinya Sujarittanan, head of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, said he has already ordered officials to ensure laid-off employees receive unpaid wages and compensation after Knittpoint Co, Ltd closed down on Nov. 6
"About 180 workers filed complaints with our provincial office and appointed four representatives to testify in these cases. We will soon ask the remaining employees to file reports and ask our provincial office to take care of them," he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Employment says it is looking to give recently laid-off staff the opportunity to fill more than 79,000 job vacancies currently available nationwide.
Department director-general Suchart Pornchaiwiseskul said the unemployed can seek jobs and career advice at employment offices nationwide.