Strengthening collaboration: ILO Regional Director visits Employers' Confederation of Thailand to discuss labour market developments

(ILO News) – Mr. Ekasit Kunanantakul, President of the Employers' Confederation of Thailand (ECOT), together with Mrs. Siriwan Romchatthong, Secretary General, warmly welcomed Ms. Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, Deputy Director-General and Regional Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office, to the ECOT offices. Accompanying the Regional Director were Ms. Xiaoyan QIAN, Country Director for Thailand, Mr. Gary Rynhart, Senior Employers' Specialist, and Ms. Jittima Srisuknam, Senior Programme Officer.

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© ILO

The discussions centered on key labour market developments, particularly projects related to migrant workers, occupational safety and health, and strengthening awareness and understanding of labour relations. As Thailand undergoes a period of significant change, its recent accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) since July 2024 marks an important milestone, bringing labour market implications as the country aligns with membership criteria. Additionally, Thailand's ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union add further relevance, as recent EU FTAs—such as Vietnam’s—have incorporated provisions on collective bargaining and freedom of association.

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© ILO © ILO

A key point of discussion was the potential ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the Workplace. ECOT expressed strong interest in collaborating with the ILO to equip companies with practical tools to prevent workplace violence and harassment. The ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) has developed the VH@W training package, which will serve as a foundation for these initiatives later this year.

ECOT has also played a leading role in ASEAN-level discussions on labour migration, working closely with the ILO to address emerging challenges. Thailand has experienced a significant rise in migration following the military coup in Myanmar, making issues such as portability of benefits and skills recognition increasingly critical. ECOT has been at the forefront of shaping regional policy frameworks on these matters, which are set to be presented and adopted at the ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE) meeting in May 2025.

This visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between ECOT and the ILO, underscoring their shared commitment to addressing pressing labour market challenges and advancing policies that support both employers and workers in Thailand and beyond.

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© ILO © ILO