A sobering issue in the workplace

It's six in the evening at Hua Thai Manufacturing Plc, when dozens of garment workers huddle inside and outside the factory, can of beer in hand, before starting overtime in an hour.

Mrs Pranom (left) campaigns for garment workers to cut down on on-thejob drinking. A new national law will take effect tomorrow banning workplace drinking.

The company used to provide beer and alcohol to employees in the evening but stopped in 2005 after an anti-drinking campaign. The budget used to buy beers for employees now goes for gifts in the company lottery.

Located in Nonthaburi province, the 28-year-old factory employs 700-800 workers, 95% of them women.

"It's not safe if two drunk employees have a row. Every time a disagreement happens, friends have to look out for each other's belongings, people end up crying and some get dragged to their cars," said 48-year-old employee Pranom Chiang-ang.

"Many women drink as a way to escape their problems. I was always told I couldn't understand how cool it is to drink if I don't do it myself."

It took three years after the company stopped providing alcohol for the employee to stop drinking completely and act as a role model for others.

"Although it did not solve the problem 100%, employees have cut their drinking," said Mrs Pranom, who is also head of the company's labour union.

In her view, it is difficult for the law to enforce drinking prohibitions in factories although many workers support it. "Many times we've proposed this position in letters, and government officials and companies always say factories already have this measure in place. But enforcement is very loose _ for instance, some put their alcohol in non-alcoholic beverage bottles so no one will notice," said Mrs Pranom.

Mrs Pranom and colleagues met with former industry minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti recently to discuss a law banning alcohol sales and consumption at factories nationwide in an attempt to increase work efficiency and lower health risks.

The law, which falls under the Alcohol Control Act of 2008, will take effect tomorrow, with violators facing a maximum fine of 10,000 baht and/or a jail term of up to six months.

A survey last year of 604 manufacturing workers aged 16-45 conducted by the Women's and Men's Progressive Movement Foundation found 39% said their spending on alcohol ranks just behind food and transport costs.

Moreover, a quarter of them pay more than 1,000 baht a month for alcohol, while 60% said they are able to purchase alcohol anytime they want.

Foundation director Jaded Chouwilai said the Industry Ministry should be a key player in raising awareness about this law.

Of 10 million factory workers nationwide, more than 60% consume alcohol, especially when the economy is struggling, he said.

The Public Health Ministry estimates alcohol consumption costs the Thai economy at least 150 billion baht a year.

Pongtheb Jaruampornparn, deputy secretary-general of the Industrial Works Department, said a letter was sent to 130,000 factories making them aware of the issue. The law covers outdoor and indoor areas for manufacturing purposes but excludes restaurants, clubs and employee houses.

"The executive room is also excluded if a company wants to open a bottle of whiskey for foreign clients," he said.

M.R. Pongsvas said the ministry will look at ways for factories to provide incentives for employees.

"This is actually an issue of rights, and a mechanism that uses incentives is better than punishment," he said.

Boonmee Jitrjai, the general manager of Otani Tire Co, said since the company campaigned on this issue, the relationship between workers and management has started to improve.

"In the past, alcohol consumption affected the quality of our products and also caused many disagreements. Usually the union rallies in front of the factory to protest about certain issues, but now we just talk to each other," he said.

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About the author

Writer: Nanchanok Wongsamuth
Position: News Reporter






Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/05/a-sobering-issue-in-the-workplace/