A fresh fruit exporting company in the central province of Chantaburi hired 30 model prisoners as manufacturing unit employees to tackle the worker shortages in the agricultural sector.
The director of the Tung Benja Correctional Institution in Chantaburi, Thitinai Patikabut, took 30 well-behaved prisoners to work on the Orasa Fruit Company within the Combang sub-district of the province yesterday. Thitinai reported that this employment alternative was made possible by way of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the jail and the corporate created last month.
Thitinai explained that solely first-time inmates with fewer than three years and six months left on their sentences had been eligible to work outdoors the jail.
According to the report, each prisoner labored within the company warehouse sorting fresh fruits in preparation for import. They had been paid 338 baht per day, which aligns with the minimal wage within the province.
Thitinai revealed that each inmate might keep their earnings to purchase food or different gadgets in the prison, or they may switch the cash to their families. Orasa Fruit Company additionally expressed interest in using the prisoners after they’re released from jail. Thitinai said…
“The main problem of the correctional establishment is the future of every inmate after they’re released. Most of them cannot discover a job and switch back to the cycle of crime. The non-public sector can help solve the issue by coordinating with the federal government and giving an opportunity to former prisoners.”
The managing director of Orasa Fruit Company, Monthon Pariwat, said…
“This is the fruit season in Thailand, and our firm additionally faces an issue of staff scarcity. These prisoners helped us lots. We are also willing to hire them as quickly as they are free. We at all times give them alternatives.”
Monthon added that…
“Many people asked me why I dared to hire former inmates. Don’t you’re feeling scared? Don’t you are worried in regards to the quality of the work? Are they going to have issues with different workers? Are they stealing the products? For me, I think they deserve an opportunity. If they get a possibility and have cash, it’s exhausting for them to go back and do the identical factor. I hope other firms do the same factor as us. Let’s give them an opportunity.”
Some Thai firms might hesitate to hire former inmates because of the stigma connected to those that have been in prison. Some employers might view former prisoners as untrustworthy or lacking in abilities and education. Some careers, like these of monetary professionals or authorities officials, have a legal restriction on hiring people with legal data as well.
Many organisations help the reintegration of former inmates like the Mirror Foundation, the Thai Probation Department, the Thailand Institute of Justice, the Foundation for Rehabilitation and Development of Children and Family, etc. They will present counselling, job coaching, and educational applications to organize former inmates for the workforce..