<html> Chinese competition keeps neighbors' wages low By Marwaan Macan-Markar May 1, 2002 <a href="http://www.atimes.com/china/DE01Ad02.html" eudora="autourl">http://www.atimes.com/china/DE01Ad02.</a><a href="http://www.atimes.com/china/DE01Ad02.html" eudora="autourl">html </a>BANGKOK - The Thai government fears that China will draw away much-needed foreign investment from the country, but Thai workers have a different worry - that Chinese competition will pull local wages down further... China's rise triggers a race for much-needed investment in Asia, competition that Thai labor activists fear is driving governments and businesses to lower costs to survive Beijing's economic might. Key among the labor-rights activists' concerns is the reluctance they see among companies in the export sector to consider a wage hike for the largely female labor force....   "Thai employers are using the presence of China as an excuse to demand for cheap and informal labor," she argues. "More women workers will then end up in the unprotected sector, working at home, and the employers will have no obligations, like social benefits, rights, for their workforce." Currently, women employed in Thailand's manufacturing sector are entitled to 90 days' maternity leave, sick leave and compensation if dismissed under the country's Labor Protection Act. </html>