The Minister of Labour reported that the private sector must jointly work together to raise labour standards, promote valuable work, support changing situations in response to trade and investment, to lead the country to sustainable development.
On February 28, 2019, Labour Minister H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo gave a speech at the opening ceremony on valuable work for businesses in a sustainable supply chain in participation with stakeholders, under the viable supply chain development project in Asia, which took place at Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Bangkok. He said that the world is currently facing many challenges and significant changes that affect the world of work both directly and indirectly, whether it is globalization, technological advances, population structure changes or climate change. These changes have formed a concern for uncertainties that may occur in the labor market including unemployment, labour shortages, the employer/employee relationship, new employment patterns as well as the upcoming free trade framework (FTA) where labour issues have been an essential requirement in free trade negotiations. These actions have caused the business sector to raise labour standards as well as the supply chain to comply with labour standards under the International Labor Organization framework.
Pol.Gen. Adul added that an essential component is close cooperation of all sectors, including the government, the private sector, civil society organizations and academic institutions at both the national and regional levels, to jointly drive the efforts as a partnership. The Thai government and the Ministry of Labour have always given importance to this with operations in the form of civil state, especially the private sector which has an important role in the development of valuable work, as it will be the driving force to connect production chains nationally and regionally, that is fair and beneficial to everyone in a society that is comprehensive and equal.
The meeting’s objective was to encourage the business sector in the Asian supply chain to comply with human rights principles, labour standards and environments that meet international criteria following the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. The declaration covers various issues including employment promotion, social security, elimination of forced labour, child labour, equal opportunity and treatment, professional skills development training, promotion of employment and learning opportunities, employment conditions, working conditions, quality of life, wages, health benefits, workplace safety, labour relations and freedom of collective bargaining for example. The results from the cooperation of the relevant agencies will result in higher productivity, whereby the business sector will have the ability to attract potential workers, increase competitiveness, expand to new markets with valued businesses and create confidence. It will result in Thailand being a source of trade, a place of interest for investment and cater to sustainable development goals as well.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
28 February 2019/
