Course hooks Thais on life aquatic
New programme aims to teach essential skills and promote fishing industry to workers in Nan, writes Penchan Charoensuthipan
After completing the three-week basic training for commercial fishing crew, Winai Wongyos, a 43-year-old self-taught auto mechanic, is now dreaming of landing a job as a helmsman’s assistant. The resident of Nan’s Wiang Sa district is one of 17 Thai men who recently signed up for a pilot vocational training programme designed for people looking for entry-level jobs on commercial fishing vessels.
The programme is the initiative of the National Farmers Council (NFC) which is pushing for the setting up of a job training centre for Thai workers to supply labour-depleted industries such as the fishing sector.
The fishing industry, which usually hires migrant workers as trawler crew, currently has trouble finding reliable labour, and the programme is aimed at recruiting Thai workers who have either previously left the industry or normally refused to take such jobs.
While the proposed centre is yet to materialise and awaits funding, the NFC has joined hands with various agencies to launch the programme.
These bodies include the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre, the Fisheries Department, the Labour Ministry, and the Naval Operations Department.
Seventeen trainees signed up; 12 from Nan, three from Phrae, and the two others from Lop Buri.
Over the course of three weeks from March 12 to April 1, the trainees were given a basic knowledge of various activities that take place on fishing vessels, such as onboard procedures, hazards, sea survival and first aid.
The training also covered labour and related laws, human rights issues, and fishing regulations and restrictions including types of marine animals that are “offlimits” and must be returned to the sea when caught.
After the course, the trainees were divided into groups of four or five and put on fishing vessels along with migrant workers for a one-week outing in the Gulf of Thailand to get their first taste of life at sea.
Mr Winai received a job offer after just a couple of days of labouring on a mediumsized trawler with 10 crew members.
As a self-trained auto mechanic, he believes that with further training he can land the job of helmsman’s assistant and some day even steer a ship himself.
He has set his sights high in part because of his past work experience but also because of the larger pay.
Positions such as helmsmen and engineers offer better wages because they require more skills and experience than are necessary for other positions on a crew. There is a high demand for skilled workers on fishing vessels.
Mr Winai plans to work hard for few years to save money for future investments or a retirement fund.
“There is nothing to spend money on when you work on a fishing boat, so I think it’s quicker and easier to save,” he said.
Mr Winai plans to take up the role after the Songkran holiday once he has discussed the job opportunity with his family back in Nan.
According to Mr Winai, working on a fishing boat is very physical, but he is prepared to learn the ropes and endure hard work. Even though income from small jobs at his repair stall is enough to make ends meet, he is thrilled by the challenge, adventure and financial rewards that fishing offers.
Wattana Loha, a 44-year-old native of Chumphon who moved to Nan after getting married, was not interested in the programme at first.
He never thought of working on a fishing boat again after relocating to the north and participated mainly just to keep Mr Winai, a relative of his wife, company.
“But when I heard about drastic changes in the fishing industry, especially better working conditions, wages and welfare, I realised the job had become more attractive,” he said.
According to Mr Wattana, he is considering joining Mr Winai as a shipmate if the latter decides to get a job onboard a fishing vessel.
“He [Mr Winai] is eyeing a helmsman’s assistant job. If he wants to try, I’ll come along. My family won’t object and I can make money,” he said.
However, not every trainee shares their enthusiasm. Some feel encouraged by tightened regulations to better protect the crew but remain undecided.
One of them said he has three children and feels uncomfortable leaving home for weeks, if not months.
Many simply say they prefer farming and will not return to work on a fishing boat even if conditions have changed for the better.
Pongsakorn Phuttrong, chairman of Nan provincial farmers council, said the fishing industry has a high turnover of workers and there are various job openings, not just entry-level roles.
“Helmsmen and engineers are also in high demand. We want Thai people to fill vacancies because these jobs require skills and pay better money,” he said.
Nan has been selected for the pilot training programme by the NFC in part because the area’s farmers have been adversely affected by falling crop prices.
Sitthiporn Chariyapong, vice-president of NFC, said the trainees will receive certificates which they can use to apply for work as fishing crew members in any of 22 coastal provinces. He also urged the unemployed to consider taking up jobs on fishing vessels to get started.
Mongkol Sukcharoenkhana, president of the Thai Fisheries Association, said the training programme will be extended to cover other skilled jobs, not just in the fishing sector.
According to Mr Mongkol, if three of the 17 trainees take jobs on fishing boats, the programme would be considered a success.
The association also plans to mobilise support from the Labour Ministry to providing training for Thai workers in the fishing industry, he said. Skilled workers can earn 500 baht a day plus medical insurance.
Charoen Chan-isara, an 80-year-old member of the NFC’s fisheries working panel, said life at sea is not as dangerous as some might have believed.
He began working on fishing boats when he was 14.
With advanced technology, especially tracking and information sharing systems, and proper training, fishing jobs are safer and healthier than working in a polluted environment on shore, he said.
He also brushed aside concerns that sea life is probably the worst in terms of physical and mental demands, saying every job is demanding.
“It’s not too harsh for Thai people to get into this line of work. And it offers a lot of fresh air,” he said.