Bangkok
Tens of thousands of Thais on Saturday flocked to a government-organised job expo with more than a million jobs up for grabs as it works to stem mounting unemployment in an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy could shrink by a record 8.5% this year, with its key tourism sector taking a beating, the government predicts, leaving young and old alike searching for work. “I got laid off,” said 23-year-old Chanissara Prommas. “I used to work for Hong Kong Airlines, but the company couldn’t deal with the cost, so they had to let go some of the staff”. Teera Magaumpai, 50, who lost his job after 30 years in the tourist sector, said the big crowd reflected huge unemployment and “elders have to fight with first jobbers”.—Agecies
