The Labour Minister and delegation attended the G20 (LEMM) Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting in Matsuyama, Japan, revealing Thailand’s promotion on employment for the elderly to develop their capabilities in technology to support the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
On September 2, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suradej Waleeittikul and Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Phattana Phanfak, attended the G20 (LEMM) Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting between September 1-2, 2019 in Matsuyama, Japan. Thailand was invited to participate in the meeting as ASEAN chair. On this occasion, the Labour Minister delivered a statement to the meeting on the employment of the elderly and longer working life, as a result of the changing demographic structure into an aging society. The Labour Minister said in the meeting that Thailand is an ASEAN member country that has a rapid rate of aging society; by 2024, the nation will officially become an aged society. The Ministry of Labour is aware of the importance of these changes and has therefore implemented initiatives to support the employment of the elderly. Actions including the signing of MOUs with private companies to promote the employment of the elderly, promoting training to improve the capabilities of the elderly, especially in technology, to support the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and extending the age of insured persons under Article 40 from 60 years to 65 years. Thailand will use the opportunity to enter the aging society to expand the elderly labour market to promote the vitality of the elderly. In addition, Thailand as a special guest, also endorsed the Declaration of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministries, 2019, under the central theme “Determining the future direction of work with the people as the center.”
The draft declaration consists of 4 main topics: 1) policies related to the changing demographics structure to support the aging society 2) policies related to longer working life resulting from the aging society 3) new forms of employment such as long-term care and 4) gender equality promotion. The declaration body is a document showing the intention of G20 member countries to formulate policy directions to support changes in population structure and the future of work, without any legal binding. The Cabinet approved the draft charter on August 27, 2019. Thailand can make use of the discussions during the meeting to prepare a new policy formulation in line with the Thai context, especially new forms of work such as long-term care which is in shortage, but important today because of the aging society.
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News by Division of Public Relations/
Information & photos by Bureau of International Cooperation/
2 September 2019
