On January 22, 2020, Secretariat to the Labour Minister Lt. Gen. Nanthadet Meksawat chaired the “60+ Job Fair”, whereby Nonthaburi Provincial Governor Mr. Suchin Chaichumsak gave a welcoming and the Department of Employment’s Director-General Mr. Suchart Pornchaiwisetkun gave a report. Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand Mr. Kalin Sarasin spoke about cooperation in the private sector. The Ministry of Labour’s executives and heads of government in Nonthaburi joined in the event at Tesco Lotus Plus Mall, Bang Yai, Nonthaburi.
Secretariat to the Labour Minister Lt. Gen. Nanthadet Meksawat said that Thailand had become an aging society since 2005, with an elderly population of 10 percent of the total population. According to the National Statistical Office’s data, it is expected that in 2021 Thailand will be an aged society with an aging population of 20 percent of the total population. In 2035, it will have an aging population of 30 percent of the total population, which will make Thailand a super-aged society. The rapid increase of the aging population will affect the rate of economic growth, from the continuously decreased proportion of children and workers. This may affect the demand for labour in the economy in the future, whereby competition in the labour market will increase, especially for skilled labour. The government and households will have an increased burden from the cost of care and development of the quality of life of the elderly, affecting the budget of the government in elderly care in terms of social welfare, health, and economy. Therefore, there must be preparation to allow society and communities to adapt to the effects of changes, which requires cooperation from all relevant sectors.
“The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment recognizes the importance of the aging society and therefore has a policy to drive, promote and expand career and work opportunities of the elderly, in line with the 20-year national strategic framework (2017 – 2036), the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021) and the 2nd National Elderly Plan (B.E. 2002 – 2021). Today’s event is in cooperation with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand to organize the “60 + Job Fair”. The event aims to promote and support the elderly to work for a career that is suitable for their age and experience and is a guarantee of stable income, creating value and pride for them to become self-reliant, reduce the burden of raising a family, and to increase the role and value of the elderly by economic participation. These efforts will also reduce the state’s burden on welfare for the elderly,” said the Labour Minister’s Secretariat.
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Division of Public Relations
Photos & information by the Department of Employment
22 January 2020
