Thailand fast-tracks labour law reforms to meet ILO standards

The Labour Ministry is fast-tracking revisions to key legislation to elevate the country’s labour rights to international standards. Spokesperson Phumipat Mueanchan confirmed that Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has prioritised updating the Labour Relations Act and the State Enterprise Labor Relations Act in alignment with International Labor Organisation (ILO) conventions.

These legislative changes aim to enhance workers’ rights, particularly focusing on collective wage negotiations, as stated in ILO Conventions number 87 and 98. If these revisions are sanctioned, they would significantly bolster labour rights in Thailand and meet long-standing demands from the workforce for better conditions.

Labour Minister Phiphat also reaffirmed the government’s initiative to raise the minimum daily wage to 400 baht. He acknowledged the potential challenges this increase might pose to businesses but assured that the government would work to mitigate any adverse effects on vulnerable groups, especially farmers.

A province-specific economic analysis is underway to determine appropriate wage adjustments.

The minister further addressed measures to assist employees impacted by company closures, such as the recent shutdown of Funai (Thailand) Co Ltd in Nakhon Ratchasima. Affected workers have been offered unemployment compensation of 7,500 baht per month for six months through the Social Security Office (SSO).

Moreover, the Labour Ministry is devising strategies to assist workers transitioning from traditional automotive roles to those in the burgeoning electric vehicle sector.

The Just Economy and Labor Institute (JELI) recently collaborated with the House Committee on Labour to address pressing issues facing platform and migrant workers. The forum highlighted the precarious situation of over one million platform workers, including ride-hailing and food delivery service riders, who currently lack legal recognition and are not protected under existing labour laws.

SSO Deputy Secretary-General Surasit Srikaew pointed out that 52.3% of Thailand’s workforce operates within the informal sector, often without access to pensions or social security benefits.

An important step towards reinforcing labour rights was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among labour groups. This MoU aims to promote cooperative efforts in achieving labour rights objectives, signalling a significant collaborative milestone in the pursuit of equitable working conditions, reported Bangkok Post.