Survey of the Compensation for Health Massage Service Providers in Songkhla Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the factors affecting health massage service providers in Songkhla. A survey was used to collect data. A questionnaire was designed to obtain three major types of data, namely, general information, masseuses/masseurs’ income, and their attitude toward their present job. The general information part included general information on the masseuses/masseurs and their places of work, while the compensation part obtained information about their income and any fringe-benefits they might have received. The third part included data on their attitudes toward the compensation, changing work place, changing career, and attitudes toward their career. Descriptive analyses were used in this study to examine the average, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum for each variable. The study results showed that the average monthly income of the masseuses/masseurs came from two major sources, payment and tips for massage services. Not many masseuses enjoyed a guaranteed minimum hourly rate of pay. The results also showed that the average monthly income the masseuses in Songkhla Province received barely covered their monthly expenses. They also received other fringe benefits, such as food and housing. Some of the masseuses believed that they still did not receive enough fringe benefits, even though some of the benefits were compulsory, such as social security benefits. In conclusion, this study can be used as a basis for designing ways to improve the massage business in the province, especially workforce planning.