The Labour Minister spoke about the case of the US, which will remove Thailand from the GSP program. He confirmed that the Ministry of Labour and related units had worked together on labour protection issues to adhere to international standards all along. Efforts have included the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, which has seen success on many levels for two consecutive years now. It has resolved human trafficking issues by upgrading its status to Tier 2, improved labour protections in the fishing industry, and has been released from the yellow status for IUU fishing. The Ministry of Labour has further ratified Convention No. 29 and No. 188, as well as progressing to the ratification of Convention No. 87 and 98.
On October 27, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul gave a speech after chairing a meeting with Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol and the ministry’s executives about the US removing Thailand from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, which will take effect in 6 months. The US has claimed that Thailand has not solved labour issues to meet international standards. The meeting took place at the Prasong Rananant Conference Room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. The Labour Minister spoke about the Ministry of Labour’s past actions on labour protection issues to meet international standards. The government, by the Ministry of Labour and relevant agencies, have realized and given importance to the protection of all workers, to receive benefits and safety at work, based on the principles of human rights and equality. All sectors have continuously integrated their work, whereby results have pushed Thailand into the significant advancement category for the worst form of child labour elimination in 2017, for the second consecutive year.
M.R. Chatumongol said further that the US Department of Foreign Affairs adjusted Thailand from the Tier 2 Watch List category to Tier 2 on the topic of human trafficking suppression, and the EU removed Thailand from the yellow card status on IUU fishing. As for the ratification of Conventions to ILO, the Ministry of Labour ratified the 2014 Supplemental Protocol to the Supplement of the International Labour Organization Convention No. 29 on forced labour, 1930, and amended laws on the prevention and suppression of human trafficking. It has enforced legislation to help victims of forced labour and imposed penalties to be more productive. Thailand has registered to ratify the ILO Convention No. 188 on the protection of workers in fishing, 2007, to protect fishers and ensure workers receive health benefits, social security, and work safety rights. The ratification will come into effect this coming November 18. At the same time, it has ratified Convention No. 87 and 98 concerning unionization and negotiations. Currently, the law is being proposed to the Cabinet and the Supreme Court, and the ministry is in the process of listening to comments from all parties.
The Ministry of Labour will work closely with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to ensure the protection of all workers to be effective and following international standards.
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Division of Public Relations/
News & photos by Chaninthorn Phettab/
27 October 2019
