Successful ways of preventing Avian & human influenza in Thailand to discussed

Project to be extended to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Viet Nam

(ILO Bangkok): Successful techniques for preventing the spread of avian and human influenza among Thailand’s poultry workers, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises will be discussed at a workshop in Bangkok on Tuesday 20 January 2009.

The meeting, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), will present the key outcomes of the ILO’s “Avian & Human Influenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project”. The workshop marks the end of phase one of the project, which began in 2008.

The workshop will be attended by farmers, Thai Government officials, workers’ and employers’ representatives, occupational safety and health specialists and other United Nations experts. Representatives from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and Viet Nam will also be present, to discuss how the experience gained in Thailand could be applied in other countries in the region. The workshop is at the Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok and is open to the media.

Thailand’s strategic plans for Avian Influenza and Pandemic Human Influenza and the workplace, and other national action plans will be discussed. Guides and materials developed by the project, on protecting businesses, employees and employers from Avian Influenza, will be presented.

“This project has alerted businesses and workers to the importance of preparing for avian and pandemic human influenza and has given them easy-to-use practical, cost-effective tools and techniques for protecting themselves,” said Bill Salter, Director, ILO Subregional Office for East Asia. “We are looking forward to spreading this information to help more workers and employers in Thailand and other countries”.

Phase one of the Avian & Human Influenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project trained 1,400 people in practical prevention and preparedness techniques. Phase two of the project (which is due to commence in February 2009 and will last one year) will expand the work to cover other areas of Thailand and introduce it in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and Viet Nam. Planning for this more extensive rollout will be discussed during the workshop.

In line with the ILO’s unique tripartite structure – which involves Governments, workers and employers equally in decision-making - the project is implemented in Thailand by the Thai Ministries of Labour, Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Public Health, and workers’ and employers’ organizations. It is funded by the UN Central Fund for Influenza Action (CFIA).

For more information please contact:

Dr Tsuyoshi Kawakami
Senior Specialist on Occupational Safety and Health, ILO
Tel: 02 288 1743, E-mail

Krisdaporn Singhaseni
ILO Information Officer
Tel: 02 288 1664, E-mail