Labour Minister chairs commencement of the panel discussion on employment and labour rights protection, sharing good examples of how to mitigate Covid-19 impacts on workers. The discussion highlighted ways to improve labour rights protection mechanisms to keep up with the crisis’s challenges, resolve problems for workers, and help workers have employment. The event took place at the Pullman King Power Hotel, Bangkok.
On September 20, 2020, at 09.00 hours, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin presided over the opening of a panel discussion on employment and labour rights protection and Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat. The discussion was organized by the Automobile Workers Organization Council of Thailand, Office of Public Media Networks, Thai PBS, Parties to Social Workers in the Fight Against Covid-19, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FEF). The objective of the discussion was to provide good examples of mitigating Covid-19 impacts on workers. In particular, the termination of employment by short-time work measures and to exchange information and opinions on the possibility of applying good examples in Thai society. The discussion also covered ways to improve labour rights protection mechanisms to keep up with challenges posed by the crisis, to improve the quality of life of workers after Covid-19 by providing a discussion forum on working together, as well as to disseminate a wide creative approach which is useful for finding a systematic solution. The meeting demonstrated a willingness to solve problems for workers and support workers to have jobs and help maintain the country’s social and economic stability. This is an important mechanism for the country’s stable development. The target groups are the leaders of trade unions in various industries, representatives of relevant government agencies, representatives for employers/organizations, representatives from labour-related NGOs and academics, totaling 70 participants in the discussion.
“The Ministry of Labour, as the main agency in charge of workers, has set up urgent policies and measures to resolve problems as follows: 1) Measures to reduce the rate of social security contributions for employers and insured persons. 2) Measures to support employment for unemployed people during the Covid-19 crisis. 3) Measures to upgrade workforce skills to be quality workers that meet international standards. 4) Measures to support the employment of new graduates. More importantly, the JOB EXPO THAILAND 2020 is scheduled to be held on September 26-28, 2020, at BITEC Bangna Exhibition and Convention Center,” concluded Mr. Suchart.
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Division of Public Relations
20 September 2020
