News Forum - Thailand’s tourism industry struggles to deal with chronic labour shortage

[Thaiger]

Thailand is facing a major crisis: the Land of Smiles’ tourism industry is struggling to deal with its chronic labour shortage. With over 11 million foreign tourists visiting Thailand since the country’s reopening in July 2022, the country is facing a major shortage of workers. According to data from the Labour Ministry, popular tourist destinations …

The story Thailand’s tourism industry struggles to deal with chronic labour shortage as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Grumpish]

It is not a problem unique to Thailand. Service sector employees in many countries were exploited on often illegally low wages, then got dumped like so much garbage - and now are not interested in returning to those kind of conditions.

[MrStretch]

So then, why aren't people taking or returning to these jobs?

Could it be the compensation is too low for them?  Perhaps those expensive luxury hotels could consider upping the salaries on offer, hmm?

[TheDirtyDurian]

29 minutes ago, MrStretch said:

So then, why aren't people taking or returning to these jobs?

Could it be the compensation is too low for them?  Perhaps those expensive luxury hotels could consider upping the salaries on offer, hmm?

Nah, they'll just get more Burmese. Especially in the South. 

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

7 minutes ago, TheDirtyDurian said:

Nah, they'll just get more Burmese. Especially in the South. 

Should see how many Indians running the restaurants in Krabi. No shortage of service staff here.

[Bluesofa]

1 hour ago, Thaiger said:

The TCT is also bringing in trainees from schools devoted to tourism and hotel management to help fill open positions.
Chamnan said…“It is a win-win measure because the trainees will get the jobs they are studying for, while operators can finally get the workforce at the right time”

 

Hmm, me being cynical makes it sound as if  'operators can finally get the workforce at the right time' might really mean 'operators can finally get the workforce at a cheaper price'.

[Skip]

Historically low wages... shitty working conditions... and a basic intrinsic laziness... all equal worker shortage

[HiuMak]

16 hours ago, MrStretch said:

So then, why aren't people taking or returning to these jobs?

Could it be the compensation is too low for them?  Perhaps those expensive luxury hotels could consider upping the salaries on offer, hmm?

I reckon people got a reality check during covid where employees are exploited and job security is ground zero in the hotel and tourism sector.

Many has since turn to other sources of income and could have been successful or better off. 

[Paulw]

16 hours ago, TheDirtyDurian said:

Nah, they'll just get more Burmese. Especially in the South. 

The Burmese & Laos generally have a better work ethic, they work harder for less and are mostly very good employees. The Thai government discriminates against the foreign workers by placing levies and restrictions on the employers. You can understand Thailand wanting to protect its own work force but many Thais dont want to work unlike the foreigners so thats is part of the labour shortage problem. Education or lack of it is a contributing factor, Thailand has been a major tourist destination for many years yet so many Thais dont speak English and probably 90% of the tourists that visit Thailand speak English!!