The Thai Workplace

Thus far I have taught English at two different factories and my observations are from these two factories. Both are in an industrial park north of Bangkok. One is called Hoya Lens: they make prescription lens for most of SE Asia. They employ about 8000 people. The other is Canon Hi-Tech: they make printers, faxes and scanners. These are sold world wide. The workweek is 5 days a week; 12 hours a day. They all wear uniforms, get bused back and forth to work and some get housing assistance (some of the single men and women are housed in dormitories - six to a room).

I talked with one of the foreman at Hoya about working there. He said he has worked for the company for 8 years and makes 8000 Baht a month without OT ($200 ). So at 280 hours a month that comes to less than $1 per hour. They are provided insurance and holiday pay plus small bonues at the end of the year.

A women who lives down the Soi from me is a secretary who works a 40 hour week and makes 5500 Baht (less than $140) a month.