On May 14, 2020, at 13.30 hours, Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul as the head of the Thai delegation, joined the Special ASEAN Labour Minister’s meeting on the impact of COVID-19 on labour and employment via video conference, which was joined by Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol. The meeting was in response to the commitment of leaders who endorsed the Special ASEAN Summit Declaration on the coronary virus epidemic (COVID-19) in April 2020 at the Prasong Rananant Meeting Room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. The essence of the special session of the ASEAN Labour Minister’s meeting was on the exchange of good practices between ASEAN member countries, regarding measures to respond to the needs of all worker groups, and managing the impact on the business sector, such as tourism and hotels for example.
The Labour Minister gave a statement on behalf of Thailand regarding the Ministry of Labour’s policies focusing on foreign policy, building a correct understanding of COVID-19, access to the rights of Thai workers in foreign countries and quarantine measures upon return to Thailand, for example. In addition, the Minister of Labour also discussed protection and restoration policies of each department under the Ministry of Labour, such as promoting labour relations, occupational health and safety in the workplace, deferment of social security contributions, unemployment benefits, short-term employment promotion for affected workers, as well as promoting the improvement and development of skills and adaptability. For foreign workers, the Ministry of Labour has delayed the entry foreign workers to reduce the population movement and has allowed foreign workers in Thailand who require work permit extensions, to be able to work in Thailand up to November 30, 2020.
The Minister of Labour also endorsed the principles of the ASEAN Labour Minister’s Joint Statement on the effect of COVID-19 to labour and employment. This shows the intention of ASEAN member countries to promote cooperation to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on labour, such as promoting access to social protection of all groups of workers, providing appropriate assistance in accordance with the policy of ASEAN Member States on migrant workers, etc. The Ministry of Labour will then propose the draft joint communiqué to the Cabinet for further consideration and approval.
In the end, the members of the meeting met with Guy Ryder, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on ways to promote cooperation between the international organization and ASEAN member countries.
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Division of Public Relations
14 May 2020
