Workshop to highlight legal, tax benefits of hiring workers with disabilities

(ILO Bangkok) The International Labour Organization (ILO)1, the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT) and the Law Faculty of Thammasat University will organize a workshop on the legal and tax benefits for employers hiring persons with disabilities.

The aim of the workshop, on Tuesday 8 February, is to promote the employment of persons with disabilities in Thailand. Despite a legal quota system that imposes obligations on the private sector to employ people with disabilities, many employers still face difficulties in complying because of the complexity of the law and a lack of awareness of the tax benefits. Consequently the number of people with disabilities being employed remains low.

As well as promoting good corporate practices the workshop will also give people with disabilities an opportunity to learn from the experiences and challenges the business sector in Thailand faces when hiring people with disabilities.

Government representatives will also speak about matching employers with suitable employees. Employers will also discuss the challenges they face in complying with the law.

“We will all share our expertise in working with employers to promote employment for people with disabilities”, said Emanuela Pozzan, ILO Subregional Disability Coordinator. “Thammasat University is the expert on law and tax benefits. ILO provides international standards and technical tools, while ECOT opens the door for reaching out to employers”.

The event is supported by the ILO/IrishAid project “Promoting the Employability and Employment of People with Disabilities through Effective Legislation” (PEPDEL), which aims to promote concrete action on disability rights in Asia and the Pacific.

It is hoped that the workshop will pave the way for future joint activities by the ILO, ECOT and Thammasat, to enhance the role of persons with disabilities in the Thai labour market.

The media is invited to attend the workshop, which will be in Thai. Representatives of employers, disabled peoples’ organizations, trade unions and ILO specialists will be available for interview. The workshop will take place on Tuesday 8 February 13.00-16.30 hours at the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand, 888/8 Global Electric Building, 3rd Floor, Srinakarin Road, Samut Prakarn 10270 Thailand.

For further information please contact:

Ms Emanuela Pozzan
Subregional Disability Coordinator, ILO
Tel. 02 288 1724 Email

Ms Krisdaporn Singhaseni
Information Offidcer, ILO
Tel: 02 288 1664 Email

Mr Kornchai Kaewmahawong
Executive Director, Employers' Confederation of Thailand (ECOT)
Tel: 02 385 7117, Fax: 02 385 8477

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1The ILO is the UN specialized agency dealing with work and workplace-related issues.