Enhancement of the human and labour rights of workers from vulnerable and marginalized groups under unacceptable forms of work in Thailand, following the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake (EnhanceRights)

About EnhanceRights

The EnhanceRights project is a one-year initiative led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and supported by the supplementary budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Government of Japan. Implemented through a tripartite-plus approach, the project responds to the immediate protection needs of vulnerable workers, particularly women and migrant workers, while also contributing to the longer-term strengthening of labour institutions and the promotion of effective social dialogue.

Women often experience greater vulnerability to exploitation than men. Particularly, maternity protection, in line with ILO Convention No. 183 (Maternity Protection Convention), is essential to safeguard women’s health and rights in the workplace. Adequate maternity protection ensures that women are not forced to choose between their employment and their maternity role.

The project aims to raise awareness of rights, improve access to grievance mechanisms, remedies, and social protection, and foster stronger collaboration among constituents. It seeks to create more inclusive and responsive platforms for the exchange of good business practices. In doing so, the project contributes to building more resilient and sustainable Japan–Thailand supply chains, particularly in key industrial areas with significant investment, while reinforcing broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

Potential focused areas, which is subject to stakeholders’ needs and priorities, include enhancement of maternity protection including care; promotion of non-discrimination, gender equality and inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly within enterprise-level to ensure safe, fair, equitable work environments; prevention of violence and harassment; reaffirming labour and social protection commitments for vulnerable workers; and effective utilization of social dialogue to promote decent work and responsible business conduct.

Outcomes

1. Improved protection of basic human rights and labour standards for workers in vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly women and migrant workers, in Thailand’s manufacturing industries.
2. Strengthened social dialogue to uphold protections for vulnerable workers, promoting decent work conditions and increased knowledge of rights and emergency procedures, in coordination with the government and businesses.

By the end of the project, vulnerable workers, especially women and migrant workers, will benefit from improved protection (such as maternity protection) and realization of basic human rights and labour standards; participating businesses will adopt more inclusive policies, social dialogue mechanisms and responsible business practices.

Target beneficiaries

• Vulnerable workers in the Thai manufacturing sectors, particularly women and migrant workers in high-investment industrial zones.
• Enterprises—both domestic and multinational—in the Thai manufacturing supply chain, including smallholders, processors, manufacturers, and exporters.

Partners

• Worker’s organization (State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation (SERC) Foundation)
• Employers’ organization (Employers’ Confederation of Thailand: ECOT)
• Government (Ministry of Labour including Department of Labour Protection and Welfare)