The Permanent Secretary of Labour reported that the US Department of State classified the Thai human trafficking situation in 2019 at Tier 2 for the second consecutive year and confirmed the Ministry of Labour is also committed to developing the legal framework to increase efficiency in preventing human trafficking in the entire labour system to protect human dignity according to human rights principles and eliminate human trafficking from Thailand sustainably.
On June 21, 2019, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol spoke about the US Department of States publishing of the 2019 Trafficking in Person Report (TIP Report 2019), categorizing Thailand at Tier 2 for the second consecutive year. The US stated that The Thai government has yet to achieve the minimum standards in eliminating human trafficking in many respects but has put in a lot more effort compared to past years by integrating cooperation with all sectors in preventing and suppressing human trafficking to significant development, in terms of in litigation, protection and defense. In addition, the US provided essential recommendations, such as increasing the efficiency of law enforcement and prosecuting human trafficking offenders, the investigation and prosecution of government officials involved in human trafficking, enhancement of protection for victims in state and private trafficking victims, more cooperation with NGOs in assisting foreign workers in the center to help foreign workers, the determination for employers to form employment contracts in the language of the foreign workers and increase concentration in workplace inspections along the border that have seasonal employment.
The Permanent Secretary of Labour said that the Ministry of Labour had had progress on measures to promote and protect the rights of workers of all nationalities according to international standards, with no discrimination as Thai workers or other national workers. It has also focused on driving new policies and emphasized strict control through the labour inspection process which is a management tool for labour protection. It has also set up a system for managing foreign workers to be more efficient by carefully solving problems with all sectors in collaboration with the government, the private sector, social organizations, neighbouring countries and international organizations.
“The ranking for Thailand at Tier 2 for two consecutive years is a testament to the international confidence towards the Thai government’s problem-solving efforts in preventing people from becoming victims of human trafficking. The ranking affects the image of products exported from Thailand will result in a boosted confidence among business partners from abroad and the manufacturing sector will be able to export more resulting in a positive impact for the overall economy. The Ministry of Labour will continue to strive to develop the appropriate legal framework and increase the efficiency of human trafficking prevention in the whole system with an important goal of protecting human dignity according to human rights principles, to prevent and eliminate human trafficking from Thailand sustainably”, Mr. Suthi concluded.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Daonapa Naorangsee/
Photos by Pariyaron Phromsakha Na Sakonnakhon/
21 June 2019/
