Environmental regulation level in Thailand and Singapore
For a long time in Thailand, development took place with little concern for the environment. The lack of strict environmental controls was a big incentive to investors, especially industry – based investors. Consequently, Thailand has robust industrial zones (Hookway and Watcharasakwet, 2010). However, this economic growth came at a huge cost, particularly to the environment.
The country is grappling with pollution problems, water scarcity, and loss of natural habitats (World Bank Group, 2011). Consequently, the government has adopted strict environmental regulations and standards (International Business Publications, 2011). The severity of this regulation is illustrated by a 2010 court decision suspending a $ 12 billion investment until a proper environmental assessment was conducted (Hookway and Watcharasakwet, 2010).
Even though Singapore is not faced with the same environmental problems as Thailand, it nevertheless has strict environmental regulations. Singapore’s environmental problems are largely caused by individuals as opposed to industries. Accordingly, unlike Thailand, the regulations are primarily directed towards people and industries alike. An example of this strict regulation is the offense of littering and spitting, which can attract a fine of $ 2000 (Gunawan, 2010).
Working hours and wages regulation
Labor issues in Thailand are dealt with by several legislation; the primary legislations are the Labor Relations Act and Labor Protection Act. The minimum wage in varies depending on the place of environment; the range is however a maximum of 203 Baht in urban areas and 148 Baht in rural areas (Panwa Group, 2013). The rates however change from time to time, and an employer is required to be aware of any changes. An employer that pays below the minimum wage is guilty of an offense and may be fined or imprisoned.
The maximum working hours are 8 hours a day, translating to 48 hours in a week, for normal work. For hazardous or harmful work, the maximum is 7 hours a day (42 in a week) (Panwa Group, 2013). Employees are given the right to an hour rest after working for five successive hours. The maximum overtime limit is 36 hours a week.
Singapore does not have a minimum wage (Bernhardt, 2013). The Employment Act only requires that workers are paid in time, at least one time a month. Similarly, working hours are generally not regulated. The only regulation on work hours, section 33 of the Employment Act, applies to employees earning less than $ 2, 000. For such workers, the maximum working hours is 8 hours per day or 44 in a week. Employees are entitled to rest after working for six successive hours; such rest must not be less than 45 minutes. The maximum overtime limit is 72 hours a month.
Sufficiency of environmental regulation
Even though the environmental regulation adopted by Thailand is critical in addressing the country’s environmental issues, it is nonetheless insufficient in solving the issues. This is because a host of these regulations are geared towards industries, which might leave the country. This would not only affect the country’s economy but also greatly jeopardize the solving of the environmental problems. Perhaps a better approach is to devise regulations how the industries may help solve the problems, while at the same time adhering to set standards.
Singapore on the other hand has sufficient environmental regulations. This is because the regulations are by and large pro active and all encompassing. This ensures that all avenues of environmental issues are addressed. Additionally, the regulations are more preventive than curative. This ensures the country is able to tackle environmental issues before they become big problems; after all prevention is better than cure.
Whether the wage and hour legislation is ethical
Thailand’s legislation on wage and working hours is to a large extent ethical. This is because it has a holistic approach to protection of workers. The legislation ensures all workers are protected in the greatest extent possible. This fosters equality and forestalls exploitation, which are tenets of ethics.
Singapore’s legislation on the other hand is largely unethical. Though the limited control fosters a vibrant market, it is an avenue for exploitation. The protection or control of a certain class of employees presupposes discrimination and inequality, attributes which cannot be associated to ethics.
References
Bernhardt, S. (2013). Labor Laws in Singapore. eHOW. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/list_5989991_labor-laws-singapore.html
Gunawan, T. (2010). The Integration of Environmental Laws and It’s Implementation in
Singapore. Wordpress. Retrieved from http://greenimpactindo.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/the-integration-of-environmental-law-and-it%E2%80%99s-implementation-in-singapore/
Hookway, J. and Watcharasakwet, W. (2010). Thailand Tightens Environmental Regulation. The
Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704182004575056421383885014.html
International Business Publications. (2011). Thailand: Company Laws and Regulations
Handbook. Washington DC: International Business Publications. Print.
The World Bank. (2011). Thailand Environment. Retrieved April 24, 2011 from
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/EXTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/0%2C%2CcontentMDK:20266329~menuPK:537827~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:502886%2C00.html
Panwa Group. (2013). Doing Business in Thailand (Labor Laws and Regulations). Retrieved
