Discussions on labour with EC

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) -- High-ranking officials have told a senior Economic Community (EC) officer that the Thai government under Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha is determined to eradicate human trafficking problem and simultaneously wants to develop labour skills in the kingdom. The officials, led by Jarin Chakkaphark, permanent secretary for Labour, told Joost Korte, EC Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, during the Labour Dialogue, held in Brussels, Belgium, between May 14 – 19 that the Thai Labour Ministry under Minister Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo has led the management of more than 1.3 million foreign workers, most of them from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, to work in Thailand legally. These foreign workers are now receiving benefits and human rights protection provided under the Thai law, Mr Jarin told the EC officer. The Thai government has also solved forced labour, child labour and those illegal workers engaged in fishing industry problems to a certain level, he said. Both sides also discussed ways to eliminate social disparity issue in line with the Thai government’s policy on not leaving someone behind and ways to strengthen relations between Thailand and the EC. (TNA)