Programme Eng_TU training

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Rationale

Migrant workers have contributed to the wealth and economic well-being to Thai society. They come from Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR, and are working in fishery, agriculture marine transport construction and domestic work. Most of them are unskilled workers and unregistered and have been engaged in 3D work.

Even both migrant workers and Thai workers are equally protected by the Labour Protection Act, migrant workers are still being discriminated and working in abusive conditions, for example, lower wage, longer working hours, unsafe working conditions, insecurity job and exploitation.

Since migrant workers are part of the temporary national workforce, the Thai trade unions have the responsibilities to extend the protection and promotion the rights of all migrant workers in the same manner that have been given to the Thai workers, particularly to ensure fair working conditions, fair wage, and humane treatment.

Objectives

1) To enhance the understanding of trade unions leaders in protection and promotion the rights of migrant workers;

2) To enhance cooperation and networking among trade union leaders for protection and promotion of equal rights among migrant workers and Thai workers;

3) To raise awareness and prepare the trade union leaders to play the active roles in the Committees established under the new Alien Employment Act 2008;

4) To promote the membership of migrant workers in Thai trade unions.

Topics

1) Trends on labour migration and its contributions to Thailand

2) Migrant workers and decent work agenda

3) International instruments and national legal framework relating to labour migration

4) Trade union initiatives in protecting the rights of migrant workers at national and regional levels

5) Role of trade unions: the way forward

Expected outcomes

1) Trade union leaders will use training modules and ILO publications relating to labour migration in undertaking their duties;

2) Trade union leaders are able to use their knowledge to play active roles in the Committees established by the laws and in other avenues;

3) The network among trade unions will have been strengthened.

Resource persons

1) Khun Nara Rattanarut, Chief of Provincial Labour Office in Nakornsawan

2) Khun Pong-sul Ahn, Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities, ILO

3) Khun Pracha Vasuprasat, CTA, ILO/Japan Migration Project, ILO

4) Khun Bundit Thanachaisethavut, Coordinator and Labour Rights Researcher, Arom Pongpangan Foundation – Labour Resource Centre

Participants

There will be 24 Thai trade union leaders and two representatives of the Federation of Trade Union Burma, equally men and women, to be nominated from the following organizations:

1) Labour Congress of Thailand (LCT) – 4 persons

2) National Congress Private Industrial of Employee (NCPE) – 4 persons

3) The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation (SERC) – 4 persons

4) Thai Trade Union Congress (TTUC) – 4 persons

5) The National Congress of Thai Labour (NCTL) – 2 persons

6) Confederation of Thai Labour (CTL) – 2 persons

7) Confederation of Thai Electrical Appliance and Electronics Automobile Metal Workers (TEAM) – 2 persons

8) Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) – 2 persons

9) Federation of Trade Union-Burma – 2 persons

Place and date

The training course will be organized between 22-23 March 2010 at Cholapruek Resort, Nakornnayok Province.

Contact Information of Cholapruek Resort:

64 Moo 10

Rangsit-Nakornnayok Road KM. 63

Amphur Banna, Nakornnayok

Tel: 037 307 567, 037 614 444, 081 732 7003

Fax: 037 614 440, 037 614 441