Toyota to lay off 1,000 subcontracted workers

The programme has been effective in the auto-assembly plant (Ban Po) in Chacheong-sao, the production plant (Samrong) and Toyota Auto Works in Samut Prakan province.

Last month the company terminated 350 subcon-

tracted workers out of a

total 5,500 in its assembly plant on the Gateway Indus-trial Estate in Chacheongsao.

A company source said it was possible that TMT would further cut the number of its subcontracted workers to 4,000.

The laid-off workers were offered 90 days' more compensation than the three months required by law. The source said the labour union was negotiating with company executives for a special bonus.

TMT had 8,000 perma-nent staff and 5,500 subcontracted workers before the early-retirement programme started.

Vice chairman Ninnart Chaithirapinyo said the company also planned to cut production until January next year to cope with lower domestic sales and exports. He said it might produce less than its target of 570,000 units in 2008.

Thai Petrochemical Industry also launched an early-retirement package this year, offering an attractive maximum of 35 months' salary for employees who have worked for 10 years.

There are no details yet on the number of staff who will volunteer for this.