GM Thailand cuts off 790 full-time jobs

Owing to the global recession, economic slowdown and fall in export orders, US automotive giant General Motors laid off 790 of its 3,000 labour force in Thailand. Following this came the closure of local assembly plant of the company for two months to avoid an inventory buildup as export orders fell off.

This came as a big blow because though several Japanese automotive companies in Thailand have been forced to lay off part-time workers in recent months but GM Thailand was one of the first carmakers to cut full-time jobs. Of the 790 laid-off workers, 700 had opted for a voluntary early retirement programme and the remaining 90 were forced to quit.

GM is one of 15 international automobile makers with assembly and manufacturing plants in Thailand to supply the domestic and export markets.