More than 19,000 workers are likely to be laid off from 30 factories across the country, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare said yesterday.

Director-general Phadungsak Thephasdin na Ayutthaya said employment officials had coordinated with factory owners, who had promised to compensate those losing their jobs.

The industries most affected are food and drink, exports, fabric and garment production, seafood processing and furniture, he added.

Last year, 29,915 workers were laid off from 153 businesses that closed down.

Talking precautions

In the wake of the Chinese earthquake, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will next week hold a meeting with more than 3,000 owners of high-rise buildings over safety measures and emergency plans in case of a quake in Thailand.

Apart from providing emergency training, the meeting will also discuss a new law in effect since last December requiring new buildings to have quake-safety features.

The BMA is now reinforcing embankment walls along the Chao Phya River from Bang Phra Khru Canal to Phra Pin Klao Bridge to cope with the river swelling due to heavy rain in recent days.