Bangkok, 30 August 2012 (ACTRAV INFO) - The International Labour Office hopes that Thailand will ratify ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, on Freedom of Association and the Right to Organise and Bargain Collectively.

"It is important that the government ratify these Conventions in the context of a regional campaign for the ratification of these two legal instruments of the ILO", said Dan Cunniah, Director of the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO/ACTRAV).

In a meeting with the Thai Labour Minister, HE Mr. Phadermchai Sasomsub, the Director of ACTRAV stressed the importance of this ratification for the country:

"Thailand is a country with a very diverse industry that employs millions of workers. The ratification of ILO Conventions would give a strong signal to the international community that Thailand wants to respect the fundamental rights and support the implementation of international labour Conventions", added Mr. Cunniah.

The Thai Minister assured ACTRAV’s Director that steps have been taken by his Government for the ratification of ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98.

Five Asian countries (India, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam) are covered by this campaign for ratification of ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, initiated by ACTRAV. This is in line with the ILO’s call for the universal ratification of these Conventions by 2015.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Pong-Sul Ahn
Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities
ILO Decent Work Team, Bangkok
Tel: +662 288 2247
E-mail: ahn[at]ilo.org