Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in April 2007, in reply to its previous observations.

2. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment policy and social protection. The Committee recalls that, as noted in its previous comments, an unemployment insurance scheme was launched since 2004. The Government’s report indicates that, between July 2004 and February 2007, out of a total of 403,403 persons registered under the scheme, 111,568 persons – representing 27 per cent of the beneficiaries were re-employed within six months following registration, and a remaining 722 persons were referred to further skills training. Research studies conducted during 2004–05 indicate that there are 15,500,000 workers in the informal economy that are not covered by any form of social protection. To address this, the Government decided in September 2006 to review its policies and extend social security coverage to the informal sector. Consequently, as reflected in the Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002–06), workers from the informal economy receive benefits to the same extent as other insured persons upon registration. The Committee also notes a communication forwarded by the National Congress of Thai Labour in April 2007 which insists that there are many workers in the informal sector including the service industry as well as self-employed persons who are not covered by the social security system. In a communication received in October 2007, the Government indicates that concrete measures and plans will soon be introduced to better serve and protect workers in the informal economy. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report information on the extent, terms and type of coverage reaching workers in the informal economy under the revised scheme as well as any other steps taken to coordinate the employment policy measures with unemployment benefits.

3. Coordination of employment policy with poverty reduction. The Committee notes that the Government established a policy on employment promotion to increase income, as shown by the priority given to three strategies in its development plan – development of human potential and social protection strategy, sustainable restructuring of rural and urban development strategy and upgrading national competitiveness strategy. The policies implemented under these strategies include job creation for self-employed persons as well as enabling small business ventures through skills training for unemployed persons and enhancing access to credit from cooperative funds. It also includes skills training to generate job opportunities in the informal sector, remote areas as well as to promote overseas employment. Furthermore, online labour market information systems have been set up to assist jobseekers. The Committee would appreciate receiving information on how the measures taken to promote employment under the three mentioned strategies operate within the “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy” (Article 2, paragraph (a), of the Convention). In this respect, the Ministry of Labour in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics of Chulalongkorn University, has conducted research on the impact of free trade agreements on labour in seven industrial sectors. According to these studies, labour standards are often compromised as a result of highly competitive practices associated with free trade agreements. The Ministry of Labour expects to improve the employment situation using the information and recommendations of research done in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics of Thammasat University. The Committee notes these initiatives with interest and would welcome receiving information on labour market programmes implemented to match labour supply and demand so as to ensure that the categories of workers affected by such structural transformations and changes in international trade can enter and remain in the labour market.

4. Labour market and training policies. The Committee notes that the skills training offered by the Department of Skills Development (DSD) focuses on pre‑employment training, upgrading training and retraining. Moreover, such programmes are designed based on the market needs. The DSD biannually surveys the needs of the public and private sectors at the provincial and national level and designs programmes accordingly. The Government’s report also provides that a quality assurance system was introduced in 2003 to ensure that skills development will be gradually expanded to cover all the regional institutes and provincial skill development centres by 2008. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the results achieved by the measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education to coordinate education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

5. Article 1, paragraph 2(c). Prevention of discrimination.

n      Women. The Government indicates that employers were encouraged to appoint female labour advisers in their establishments. In addition, female workers have also been provided with equal opportunities to the same extent as male workers in accessing services of the DSD. In 2006, 102,990 trainees finished vocational skills training courses organized by the DSD; 100,141 were women, mostly employed in the clothing and textile industries and service sectors. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security also provided courses for women and young female workers and to those at risk of being, or have been, laid off are unemployed or poor. In rural areas, a special project known as “Building New Life for Rural Women” has been organized with the aim of providing vocational training and increasing income. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information in its next report on the impact of the measures adopted to ensure that progress is achieved in raising the participation rate of women in the labour market. Please also indicate the gender distribution of trainees in the training courses of the DSD.

n      Persons with disabilities. According to the Government’s statistics, the relative number of persons with disabilities that have found job placements increased in 2006. Other interventions include providing vocational training courses for persons with disabilities; occupational development services to help those that have completed vocational training develop practical skills, as well as family and community welfare services to provide care and support for children with disabilities. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on the impact of the training programmes for persons with disabilities, in particular, the number of people that completed the programme and were able to find employment in the open labour market.

n      Migrant workers. The Government indicates in its report that the registration of thousands of migrant workers has improved their situation. The Committee also notes the statistics for the period 2004–06 on the implementation of bilateral Memoranda of Understanding with neighbouring countries including Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Myanmar. It also notes the observation submitted by the National Congress of Thai Labour, which indicates that illegal foreign workers, especially from Myanmar, are increasing and are paid below minimum wage. In its reply, the Government indicates that irregular migrant workers tend to get lower wages than the minimum rates announced by the National Wages Committee because of their illegal status. On this important issue, the Committee refers again to the tripartite discussion that took place in June 2006 and asks the Government to continue to report in detail on the impact of the action taken within the framework of an active employment policy to prevent abuse in the recruitment of labour and the exploitation of migrant workers in Thailand (see Part X of the Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169)).

n      Workers in the rural sector and in the informal economy. The Government indicates that homeworkers in the informal sector can register at provincial employment offices to receive basic training to enhance their skills. It also initiated a project in 2006 to reach agricultural sector workers and improve working and living conditions and raise awareness of labour protection. The Committee requests the Government to also provide information in its next report on the implementation of rural employment policies and programmes and on any other measures it has taken to promote employment and improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities for homeworkers. It also reiterates its interest in examining information on the measures taken to reduce the decent work deficit for men and women workers in the informal economy and to facilitate their absorption into the labour market.

6. Article 3. Consultations with representatives of the persons affected. The Committee notes that, in issuing policies on employment and labour protection, the Ministry of Labour has given opportunities for all parties concerned to participate. Draft copies of policies and regulations are open for public comment. In certain provinces, the Provincial Offices of Labour Protection and Welfare have collaborated with local government authorities, NGOs and foundations in order to access those migrant workers more easily and provide protection more efficiently. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on any recommendations made by the abovementioned mechanisms in relation to the formulation and implementation of employment measures.