Thai Silver Charms are a growing segment of our business. These popular items are made at a production facility in Bangkok that we began working with in 2002. Since that time, our Thai Silver Charms and Pendants have expanded from a handful of items to hundreds. We selected our supplier based on the quality of their work and our confidence that they pay fair wages and provide other important benefits to their workers.
Thailand and Indonesia (where Bali is located) are the two largest economies in Southeast Asia but the people of Thailand enjoy a higher standard of living. When adjusted for purchasing power parity, the GDP per capita in Thailand is almost double that of Indonesia, though still far below the United States. The unemployment rate in Thailand in 2008 was only 2.1% (8.9% Indonesia, 9.7%USA) creating competition for skilled workers. The residents in Bangkok also have a higher standard of living than anywhere else in the country.
In keeping with a higher level of development, Thailand has substantial regulations for labor. The production facility adheres to rules handed down by the Tax Department, Factory Department, Labor Department and the Health and Environment Department. They pay a 5% payroll tax that covers health insurance, unemployment insurance, and retirement benefits. They also provide 16 paid holidays in addition to personal vacation time and three months of paid maternity leave. Entry level workers are paid well above minimum wage. Mid-level workers earn the equivalent of salaries at a four star hotel and experienced silversmiths earn about the same as a manager at a department store. The youngest worker at the factory is 20 years old.
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Thank you for sharing this information. Your attention to important topics like fair wages and healthy workers makes me feel confident as your customer and is an assurance I can pass on to my customers. I applaud your attention to concientious sourcing of materials.
Peggy
Comment by Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li — March 23, 2010 @ 10:02 am