Thousands of Lamphun factory jobs in jeopardy

Currently, there are 50,000 factory workers in this northern province. Because the global economic slowdown has affected auto-parts, electronics and jewellery manufacturers, about 2,000 permanent workers are likely to lose their jobs by yearend.

Lamphun Industrial Council chairman, Manas Kiatchareonwat yesterday revealed other factories would decide not to renew employment contracts for between 3,000 and 4,000 temporary workers.

"So many entrepreneurs in the local industrial estates will have to lay off workers because purchase orders from foreign customers are dropping drastically," Manas said. He said these markets were in the United States, Europe and Japan - all hit by the economic crisis.

"If there are no more purchase orders in the next six months, more than 10,000 other workers will lose their jobs too," Manas said. He said several factories had already reduced their workers' hours.

Supa Manopanya, who heads the Lamphun labour office, said sacked workers would receive fair compensation in line with the laws regarding layoffs.

He said his office had also coordinated with the Lamphun agriculture office to prepare for brush-up farming-skill courses for workers who wish to return to their farmlands.