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� � � � � � Thailand attractive for skilled workers (doctors, nurses, engineers, accountants, tourism) under Asean free labour markets in 2015 Integration�in some areas in Asean such as labour should come gradually to�ease�the�risk�of a�"brain-drain", according to experts speaking at the World Economic Forum on East Asia last week.
����������� Joseph E Stiglitz, a�Nobel Laureate in economics�and a professor at Columbia University,�stressed�the need for a managed flow of talent�in order to prevent�the "hollowing out" problem.�With countries investing in people who later on move somewhere else, there needs to be a form of�compensation�for that country, he said�
����������� "Asia has�a lot�of�diversity. The�concern�of all doctors going from poor to�rich�countries should be a real concern, and there should be�assistance�from richer companies for them to�maintain�adequate�healthcare," he said.�
����������� Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said unlike the European model, which uses the�free�movement�of�people, the�diversity�of the 10 economies in Asean requires�free movement of�skilled labour.�The AEC would�pave the way for�the free flow of skilled labour in eight professions�comprising�doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers, architects, accountants, surveyors and the tourism industry.�
����������� However, it has to be�step by step, as there will be�economic�migration�into a country like Thailand, which has a relatively stronger economy than its neighboring countries, said Mr Surin."If there is free movement of labour, countries like Thailand and Malaysia will be�engulfed," said Mr Surin.�
����������� He said the specific industrial strengths of each nation will lead to a�natural selection�process. For instance, the electronics industry will go to Malaysia; banking,�finance�and�logistics�to Singapore,�automotive�and�food processing to Thailand, and�extracting natural�resources�to Indonesia.��
����������� "We have to invest in the creativity of our people, and countries moving fast will�attract�more. That's why competition in Asean is important. A lot of�multinational corporations�are creating an�advantage�in this�landscape, and we have to encourage�Asean labour to move around and help develop all these economies," said Mr Surin.��
����������� Rajat M Nag, managing director-general of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, said there has to be first a movement of goods and�services, so the�labour�segment�should not be�rushed �But�ultimately, you must not stop people from going where the�opportunities�are," he said�On the other hand, Malvinder M Singh, executive chairman of Fortis Healthcare, said the free flow of talent should happen earlier rather than later due to�demand�in the healthcare business.
����������� "I would like to�urge�leaders to create a�framework�where [labour] can freely move. If you�enable�the�opportunity, businesses will come," he said.�We should look at Asean as one economy and let the market decide where people want to go and work, as well as where investors will go. As long as you are able to�provide�a framework, let the markets play. This will�ensure competitiveness�and bring more�investment.
Content:�bangkokpost.com
Picture: bangkokpost.com
