The Ministry of Labour met and had a briefing on the evaluation of human rights practices of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, on being visited by the Committee on Monitoring, Considering and Selecting Model Organizations on Human Rights.
On August 27, 2019, at 13.30 hours, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol chaired the meeting on the evaluation of human rights practices of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, which took place at the Prasong Rananant Meeting Room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Viwat Jiraphanvanich gave a brief on the human rights practicies of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour. He said that on behalf of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, he was pleased for the visit and thanked the committee in recognizing the Office of the Permanent Secretary’s determination for driving promotion and protection of human rights for people and personnel in each department, which will progress towards becoming a human rights model organization.
The mission of the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Labour has the duty and responsibility to manage the policies and strategies of the Ministry of Labour and convert them into action. It also aims to support local operations in the provincial areas, which are the 76 provincial labour offices and 13 overseas Thai labour offices, with the main objective to provide protection and promote basic rights to personnel of the Office of the Permanent Secretary. This also extends to all groups of workers, whether they are Thai or foreigners, ensuring security in their work through social security and a good quality of life, following international standards. There are departments within the Ministry of Labour, including the Department of Employment. Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Department of Skill Development and the Social Security Office which have the authority to enforce laws.
Human rights practices under the 3rd National Human Rights Plan (2014 – 2018) of the Office of the Permanent Secretary has missions involved in 3 areas which are economic, data, information technology and communication and social security. In addition, the Office of the Permanent Secretary has a process to raise awareness about human rights among personnel at all levels in various formats, such as the Ministry of Labour’s Operation Center through video conference and training on the development of executives and government officials at all levels.
Furthermore, outstanding human rights achievements of the Office of the Permanent Secretary are, “activities to drive operations to prevent and resolve human trafficking, slavery, illegal labour, child labour in worst forms”. A key achievement is the ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention No. 111 on Employment and Occupational Discrimination, 1958, No. 188 on Working in Fisheries, additional protocol No. 29 on forced labour and the latest work on collaboration with relevant agencies to assist Thai fishermen who were rafted in Somalia, facilitating the safe return to Thailand and undertaking assistance according to labour rights.
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Division of Public Relations/
27 August 2019
