Covid-19 attacked 130 factories, threatening Thailand's economy

The Covid-19 outbreak at more than 130 factories made Thailand worried about affecting exports, in the context of the economy losing revenue from tourism.

Thailand has recorded more than 7,100 cases of nCoV infection at more than 130 factories in 11 provinces, many of which supply products for international brands, making the manufacturing industry one of the major sources of virus spread. especially next to prisons and construction sites.

Affected facilities represent only a tiny fraction of the 63,000 factories with 3.4 million workers across Thailand, but officials are concerned about the impact of this outbreak on the export industry, which is a major source of income. motivation to maintain economic development in the context that the country has completely lost revenue from tourism.

Myanmar workers in an isolation area at a factory in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, on June 8. Photo: Reuters.

Exports accounted for 45% of Thailand's GDP in 2020. The tourism-dependent economy saw a 6.1% contraction last year, while the Thai government last month lowered its 2021 GDP growth forecast. from 2.5-3.5% to 1.5-2.5%.

Electronics, rubber goods and food are the export sectors that have suffered the most from the pandemic. "It is too early to assess the overall impact. If this continues, the damage will continue to increase and all factories must be fully vaccinated," said vice president of the Thai Industry Association. Kriengkrai Thiennukul said.

Some factories have cut production due to partial closures, while others have closed completely and quarantined workers.

Thailand has recorded a total of 199,264 nCoV infections and 1,466 deaths, of which 80% of new infections and 90% of deaths were counted after April. So far, only 1.6 million out of 66 Millions of Thais are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Thai government is trying to control the outbreak in factories thanks to a "bubble and blockade" policy, which is applied when 10% of workers in a facility are infected with nCoV. Positive cases will be taken to treatment, the rest must stay in the factory for 28 days.

This policy applies specifically to factories and construction sites, where many workers are immigrants with low wages, making it impossible for them to leave the workplace even if they are not infected.

Organizations to ensure the rights of migrant workers in Thailand are calling on the government to improve the local living environment and conduct more testing so that healthy people can avoid infection and be protected. move freely.

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