ILO-Thai Trade Unions meeting on Trade Unions agenda for decent work in Thailand
25 July 2016
Confronted with slowdown in global economy, declining investments and political uncertainties, Thailand is facing a number of development and labour market challenges currently. Economic growth has slowed in recent years and this is also affecting labour, employment and industrial relations situation. To meet its development challenges, Thailand needs not only greater public & private investments but also pursue inclusive growth policies, including better labour standards and enforcement of labour laws.
It is against this background, ILO organized a meeting with trade unions on ‘Union Agenda for Decent Work in Thailand’ at the ILO conference room, United Nations Building in Bangkok on Tuesday 17 May 2016. 15 Thai trade union representatives participated. The meeting discussed Thailand’s labour situation and key employment, labour & Industrial relations issues facing unions and follow up actions. It was also an occasion to update Unions on the forthcoming International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva an important agenda of which is also the discussion on decent work in global supply chains.
In his opening remarks Mr Maurizio Bussi, Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic, updated the union representatives on ILO initiatives in Thailand and its work with constituents to promote conditions for decent work. He also pointed out that ratification of C 87 and C 98 has been often talked about by the Government and there is a public commitment to it but so far, it has not happened. He hoped that the trade unions advocacy in this regard will succeed. He also underlined that this forum is an opportunity for the worker representatives to speak freely about their concerns with regards to labour situation in Thailand. He hoped that suggestions and ideas from workers representatives can lay the ground for joint initiatives between the ILO and the Thai trade unions to work on issues related to compliance with international labour standards and promotion of decent work.
Workers representatives emphasized their common concerns on difficulties in organizing workers in Thailand as laws, regulations and practices have not facilitated and/ or hinder this process. Less than 5 percent of the workforce is organized. It’s not only labour laws but also attitudes in private sector where employers refuse to respect workers right to organize. This expose workers to exploitation especially those in vulnerable situation such as informal economy workers, migrant workers, and women workers. Besides sharing on anti-union discrimination and denial of rights to organize and collective bargaining, union leaders also pointed out misuse of ‘Assembly Act’ to curb trade unions protest actions and declining effectiveness of tripartite bodies and social dialogue in addressing labour policy issues such as working hours, minimum wages revision, situation of migrant workers, privatization, social security and labour law reforms.
Mr Arun Kumar, Specialist on Workers' Activities, ILO, while reiterating ILO’s commitment and role in assisting trade unions in Thailand to promote decent work, stressed on the need for trade unions to come together for united voice and coordinated actions to promote decent jobs along with measures to promote respect for core labour standards.
It is against this background, ILO organized a meeting with trade unions on ‘Union Agenda for Decent Work in Thailand’ at the ILO conference room, United Nations Building in Bangkok on Tuesday 17 May 2016. 15 Thai trade union representatives participated. The meeting discussed Thailand’s labour situation and key employment, labour & Industrial relations issues facing unions and follow up actions. It was also an occasion to update Unions on the forthcoming International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva an important agenda of which is also the discussion on decent work in global supply chains.
In his opening remarks Mr Maurizio Bussi, Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic, updated the union representatives on ILO initiatives in Thailand and its work with constituents to promote conditions for decent work. He also pointed out that ratification of C 87 and C 98 has been often talked about by the Government and there is a public commitment to it but so far, it has not happened. He hoped that the trade unions advocacy in this regard will succeed. He also underlined that this forum is an opportunity for the worker representatives to speak freely about their concerns with regards to labour situation in Thailand. He hoped that suggestions and ideas from workers representatives can lay the ground for joint initiatives between the ILO and the Thai trade unions to work on issues related to compliance with international labour standards and promotion of decent work.
Workers representatives emphasized their common concerns on difficulties in organizing workers in Thailand as laws, regulations and practices have not facilitated and/ or hinder this process. Less than 5 percent of the workforce is organized. It’s not only labour laws but also attitudes in private sector where employers refuse to respect workers right to organize. This expose workers to exploitation especially those in vulnerable situation such as informal economy workers, migrant workers, and women workers. Besides sharing on anti-union discrimination and denial of rights to organize and collective bargaining, union leaders also pointed out misuse of ‘Assembly Act’ to curb trade unions protest actions and declining effectiveness of tripartite bodies and social dialogue in addressing labour policy issues such as working hours, minimum wages revision, situation of migrant workers, privatization, social security and labour law reforms.
Mr Arun Kumar, Specialist on Workers' Activities, ILO, while reiterating ILO’s commitment and role in assisting trade unions in Thailand to promote decent work, stressed on the need for trade unions to come together for united voice and coordinated actions to promote decent jobs along with measures to promote respect for core labour standards.
By Mr Arun Kumar, Specialist on Workers' Activities, DWT-Bangkok Emailand
Ms Jittima Srisuknam, Programme Officer for Thailand and Lao PDR, CO-Bangkok Email