The Ministry of Labour joined the opening of the 12th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour, emphasizing Thailand’s awareness of the importance of migrant workers, ready to promote fair treatment following international principles, equality and equal access to the protection of human dignity.
On September 13, 2019, at 09.00 hours, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol assigned Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Phattana Phanfak who gave an opening remark at the 12th Forum on Migrant Labour. The occasion took place at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok. Australian Ambassador to Thailand Mr. Paul Stephens, Senior Economic and Political Advisor to the Canadian Embassy in Thailand Mr. Jeffrey Senior, ILO Chief for Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia Mr. Graeme Buckley, representatives from employer organizations, employee organization, and civil society also attended the meeting.
Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour said that Thailand is aware of the importance of migrant workers as a critical mechanism for driving the country’s economic growth. At present, over 3 million migrant workers are working in Thailand, all of whom regardless of nationality, gender, or work, must be treated with equality and equally protected in human dignity. The government attaches importance and recognizes the promotion of migrant workers to be treated fairly following international standards, including the opportunity to access valuable work, in line with the change of the global society into the digital age. This affects and causes changes in demand in the labour market and the ability to adapt to the workforce. It is a new challenge in preparing to handle the changing conditions of the global society, including the protection of justice, equality, and the employment of migrant workers in Thailand and ASEAN.
“The government, by the Ministry of Labour and all relevant sectors must cooperate in preparing to handle the challenges that arise, as well as solutions to existing problems. This requires the improvement of existing policies, laws, and regulations to be in line with the changing conditions. Another challenge is the use of technology and innovation to help migrant workers receive equal rights and access to valuable work. This can be done through integration, inspection, promotion of legal migrant workers in partnership with network partners and inter-state employment cooperation in the form of MOUs, for example,” concluded the Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Daonapa Naorangsee/
Photos by Chanchai Chaonongphian/
13 September 2019
