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Plan to train Thai workers backfire



Subject: Plan to train Thai workers backfires Wut told aliens too  difficult to replace( BKKPost 8-1-00) Rangoon lets trawler fleet  return to fishing grounds

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<b>Plan to train Thai workers backfires Wut told aliens too difficult to
replace<br>
<br>
</b>Supamart Kasem<br>
<br>
The plan to train Thai workers to replace illegal Burmese factory labour
has failed, Labour Minister Wut Sukosol was told yesterday.<br>
<br>
About 80% of the locals who applied for jobs resigned before they
finished training, Suchart Visuwan, president of the Tak Industrial
Council, said.<br>
<br>
Many of those who completed the course and began work quit within two or
three weeks, complaining about the hard work even though they were paid
full wages and overtime pay.<br>
<br>
The minister was told about 30 factories had closed down since last
August when the government began pushing illegal migrants back to Burma
in order to make room for the unemployed Thais.<br>
<br>
Some operators had moved their machinery to Bangkok or other provinces
far from the border and set up business by once again hiring illegal
foreign workers.<br>
<br>
Panithi Tangpati, president of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, estimated
losses to the local industrial sector stood at around four billion
baht.<br>
<br>
In the agricultural sector, the damage was around one billion baht, he
said. Huge crops of vegetables, roses and other products had been left to
rot because there were no labourers to work the fields.<br>
<br>
Mr Panithi said the private sector in the province agreed in principle
with the government's policy to repatriate illegal Burmese workers.
However, the government should allow some leeway so businesses could hire
Burmese workers as well as local labour at a ratio to be worked 
out.<br>
<br>
The Burmese could be issued border passes so they could cross into
Thailand each day to work and return home at night.<br>
<br>
He understood the Burmese authorities tended to favour the border pass
arrangement.<br>
<br>
The labour minister said the government's concern about the security
threat posed by the large presence of illegal workers from Burma was
justified but sympathised with local businesses and promised to raise
their problems with the cabinet.<br>
<br>
An estimated one million illegal migrants from Burma worked in Thailand
before the forced repatriation began, including about 30,000 in Tak alone
as either farm hands or garment factory workers. Only about 100,000 were
officially allowed to remain, working in 18 categories of business in 37
provinces. <br>
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<b>Rangoon lets trawler fleet return to fishing grounds <br>
Private deals signed as junta eases ban<br>
<br>
</b>Achara Ashayagachat<br>
<br>
Thai trawlers are back in Burmese waters following an easing of the ban
imposed after the Oct 1-2 embassy siege, the Thai Overseas Fisheries
Association said yesterday.<br>
<br>
Trawler operators entered into contracts with locally-licensed trawlers
after Rangoon relaxed the ban citing eased border tensions, said Wanchai
Sangsukiam, the association president.<br>
<br>
Under the deals, the Thai catch must be landed in Rangoon and subjected
to a 10% export tax, said Mr Wanchai.<br>
<br>
Before Rangoon imposed the ban, Thai operators could fish in Burmese
waters under two arrangements. They could pay a monthly concession fee of
$100,000 which allowed them to bring their catch to Thailand, or buy a
contract from Burmese operators, costing $6-8,000 a month with a
condition that the catch be landed in Rangoon.<br>
<br>
Some 400 Thai trawlers opted for the first option and 100 the second,
fishery officials said. The continued suspension of concessions led them
to buy contracts from the Burmese.<br>
<br>
Some operators complained that Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan had
succeeded only in persuading Rangoon to open its land border during his
talks with the junta last month.<br>
<br>
Mr Wanchai said operating regulations were now being revised and it was
likely foreign vessels might be allowed to operate on fishing grounds
about 65km offshore.<br>
<br>
&quot;It will be a good chance for 50-70 deep-sea vessels but of little
benefit to the majority,&quot; he said.<br>
<br>
Sources said Burmese leaders were also debating how to balance between
earning hard currency and promoting domestic industry.<br>
<br>
A power struggle between Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary 1 of the ruling
State Peace and Development Committee, and Gen Maung Aye,
commander-in-chief, has been settled, the sources said.<br>
<br>
That left more room for Gen Maung Aye, whose former base controls coastal
areas, to handle fishing interests, they added.&nbsp; <br>
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