Up to 270,000 prison inmates are to be drafted in to work for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing labour shortages, Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar said Wednesday.
Mr Nattawut told reporters that he had instructed the Department of Business Development to ask the Corrections Department to allow 270,000 prisoners, including 40,000 women, from 193 prisons nationwide to take on manufacturing jobs working for SMEs.
He said a 200-baht daily wage would be offered to inmates employed in primary goods production. The wage would be increased for those with specific skills.
“SMEs have been affected by the 300-baht daily minimum wage policy. Some of them have been able to adapt. But the most common problem is the lack of labour to produce goods. These inmates can help,” Mr Nattawut said.
Mr Nattawut said inmates could be employed in SMEs that produce shoes, ornaments, woodwork, knitwear and textiles, musical instruments and sporting gear, machinery and agricultural equipment, repair and maintenance products, paper, leather, travel gear, artificial flowers and fruit, ceramics, toys and games, clothing, electronic goods, electrical appliances, and beverages.
I‘ve had experience in a prison before, which makes me understand that many prisoners don’t know where to go after being released, and repeat their offences,” Mr Nattawut said.
This project will give them career. Any inmate who proves to be a good skilled labour will be recommended to the SME operators once they are released.”