BANGKOK, April 14 (TNA) – Over 10 million Thai people
could lose their jobs if the Covid-19 pandemic prolongs for another 2-3 months,
the Thai Chamber of Commerce says.
Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce,
said at a meeting of an advisory committee chaired by Thosaporn Sirisamphand,
secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council
(NESDC) on Tuesday.
He said up to seven million workers had already been laid
off so far, and without solid actions the figures would reach 10 million over
the next few months.
The NESDC and the private sector groups agreed to set up
five sub-committees to study relief measures for businesses. These
sub-committees would make their proposals on measures such as financial
assistance for SMEs in the next meeting on Monday, Thosaporn said.
The advisory committee consisting of 13 members from the
public and private sectors was formed by an order of Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha earlier this month to make suggestions about the government’s
Covid-19 measures.
The NESDC will compile suggestions and report to the
government.
So far, it has asked the government to introduce such
measures as exempt corporate income tax for SMEs for two years and lower
corporate income tax for other businesses. (TNA)
