BANGKOK: A series of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thai factories is raising concerns that the export sector could be hit hard, threatening to further undermine an economy as it struggles to recover from the pandemic's crippling blow to the crucial tourism industry.
Electronics, rubber gloves, and food are among the export sectors hit by infections, Federation of Thai Industries vice chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul told Reuters, but he said it was too early to assess the overall impact.“If it continues the damage will increase so factories have to be fully vaccinated,” he said.Charoen Pokphand Foods, which exports to 40 countries from Thailand, said a factory that was closed due to infections accounted for 10per cent broiler chicken production.
Thailand has recorded a total of 199,264 COVID-19 infections and 1,466 deaths so far, with over 80per cent of the new cases and 90 per cent of the fatalities reported after April.The government has been trying to contain the outbreak with a"bubble and seal" policy, which takes effect in when 10 per cent of factory workers are infected. The confirmed cases are then sent for treatment while the remainder are kept at the factory for 28 days.
“It’s not appropriate," said Suthasinee Kaewleklai, Migrant Workers Rights Network coordinator in Thailand, adding that authorities should be doing more tests.Suthasinee said that companies should improve conditions, give more space for social distancing and increase training for workers so those who were healthy could avoid infection and move freely.
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