The Deputy Labour Minister drives women’s development efforts, following the create, elevate and give, uniting Thailand to build a nation. The efforts emphasize the leadership of women playing a role in driving the country’s economy.
On September 30, 2020, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat joined the A Women’s Empowerment Principles Signature Ceremony for Companies in Thailand event, a signing ceremony WEPs (WeEmpowerAsia) between UN Women and businesses leaders in Thailand. The ceremony took place at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok. Ms. Hohmmad Naciri from UN Women, H.E. Mr.Pirkka Taplol from the European Union Delegation to Thailand, Mr.Abhisit Vejjajiva, and ambassadors from 7 countries including Canada, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, and representatives from Japan and Switzerland and the UN also joined the event.
Prof. Narumon said that as one of the four female ministers of the Cabinet, the initiative is an opportunity to work together, to empower women and promote sustainable development. She said that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha had given importance to policymaking on women’s role to create social equality, which is a national development strategy. The focus is also to define a model for the development of women’s leadership in society to have a greater role in driving the economy, society, and politics. Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan gives importance to women workers in terms of protection, support, stability, and income to continuously improve women workers’ quality of life through law enforcement and regulations. There is a further priority on capacity enhancement and continuous skill development. With these skills, women will be trained in different industries. The Ministry of Labour has partnered with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to promote working women, uniting everyone to build a strong foundation, and drive the country’s economy. The initiative also promotes people to develop themselves to keep up with the changes through various projects operated under the Development Fund for Working Women.
The Deputy Labour Minister added that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Skill Development recognizes the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the labour market. It is working to mitigate problems by implementing three approaches under three concepts: “Create-Elevate-Give; Uniting Thailand to create a nation” by developing women workers to a new and more skilled workforce that meets the needs of the industrial sector and special economic zones, such as the Eastern Economic Corridor Development Project or the EEC. The initiatives aim to raise the standards for women workers’ skills to earn higher wages according to each profession’s labor skills standards assessment. It also gives opportunities for vulnerable women workers, self-employed or small-business owners who support the community’s economy and provides professional opportunities to women who have been laid off and new graduates.
“As you know, we cannot prevent and prepare for every crisis. But what we can do is make a remarkable difference to women, and of course, the empowerment of women can only happen with full cooperation from all sectors. The Ministry of Labour is grateful for the support from so many organizations that are willing to work together to empower women in Thailand,” the Labour Minister concluded.
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Division of Public Relations
30 September 2020
