Some 10,000 workers have been struggling to live as tourism industry in Thailand's southern Phuket province declined following last year's tsunami.

Although few employers in the southern resort island had laid-off workers, wages had fallen, Decha Prukpatanara, Phuket labor chief was quoted by Bangkok Post newspaper as saying on Thursday.

Workers in the tourism sector used to get salaries and service charge but now most were only left with salaries, which was not enough for them to survive, he added.

The Labor Ministry has allocated 15 million baht (US$357,000) to Phuket to create emergency jobs for local laborers, which would help more than 3,000 workers to be paid 175 baht per day. However, the money is expected to run out next month.

Labor authorities are trying to find jobs for the workers in other provinces and help train them get into business for themselves, said Decha.

Skilled laborers especially for construction are in great need in Phuket despite the delay of new recruitment in almost 80 percent of hotels on the island.

He worries about the emergence of labor shortage if tourism in Phuket revives later this year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2005)