Thai Airways employees up in arms over benefit cuts

Employees of Thai Airways (THAI) are up in arms over the company’s decision to cut their work benefits as part of its cost-cutting measures.

Thailand’s national carrier is undergoing a rehabilitation plan to keep the company afloat after filing for bankruptcy in May.

Among the measures is the slashing of employees’ salaries and other types of compensation by between 10% and 50%, according to Nares Puengyaem, the president of THAI’s labour union.

But despite assuring its employees their jobs are safe for at least a year, the latest decision to cut several work benefits, particularly health welfare, has proven to be the last straw for its employees.

THAI’s employees are previously able to receive medical care services at contracted hospitals. But they are now required to first pay for their medical bills out of their own pockets and request for reimbursement from the company.

Employees are worried that this might cause a huge financial burden should they require medical treatment.

Furthermore, the airline has also ceased shuttle services for staff on graveyard shifts. That has caused security concerns for female employees traveling to work during odd hours as well as increased travel costs, especially for those working at airports located far away from the city.

THAI’s labour union lodged a complaint with The Labour Ministry, who will meet with the airlines for a dialogue over the cut of work benefits.