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Recently, the Labour Ministry sought a budget of Bt1.5 billion to help the unemployed through retraining programmes. Industries, however, are not optimistic about the plan. Retraining is not the only thing that will ease the affects of unemployment; cooperation from various ministries is also required.

The Finance Ministry should look at ways to help sustain small- and medium-sized businesses that are still capable of operating, instead of letting these firms go under due to the credit crunch. Instead of waiting until the economic problems worsen beyond repair, the government should find ways to maintain the current employment level by providing essential support to help competitive industries continue in business.

Elsewhere, unemployment has become a national issue. The US Congress is debating a bail-out of the auto industry, largely to maintain employment in the sector. The Chinese government recently approved a stimulus package to promote domestic consumption.

The impact from the global financial crisis on the Thai economy has so far been limited. But there are signs that the problem will get worse. The Welfare and Labour Protection Department reported that from January to August this year, 11,598 businesses closed down, leaving 127,238 workers unemployed.

Agencies involved should now look at how to cope with additional shutdowns and more unemployment. If companies have to close due to oversupply of demand in a certain sector, what are the alternative industries that workers can turn to? After all, employment is the issue that directly affects every one of us.