Govt needs more than 530,000 workers for two mega projects

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) - The government plans to recruit newly graduated students, unemployed and migrant workers for its two mega projects namely the 2.2-trillion-baht infrastructure development projects and the 350-billiob-baht water management project, which require more than 530,000 workers, said Pravit Khiengpol, Director-General of Labour Ministry’s Employment Department. He said the infrastructure development projects will require 450,000 workers, while the water management project will need 80,000 labourers. Currently, there is a shortage of workers of about 1.6 million in Thailand and the situation could become more severe with the two mega projects, he said. To help solve the problem, the Employment Department plans to hire some 300,000 workers who are currently unemployed as well as new graduates of not less than 100,000 on a yearly basis, he said. Pravit said his department also plans to bring in Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian workers to meet demands from business operators, while additional Bangladeshi and Vietnamese workers will also be imported under memoranda of understanding made with the two countries. He said these migrant workers will be employed in construction and fishery sectors. (TNA)