On August 7, 2024, at 10.00 hours, the Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, and executives of the Ministry of Labour traveled to Macau to discuss official labour matters with the Minister of Economy and Finance of Macau, Mr. Lei Wai Nong, to strengthen labour relations, exchange knowledge on labour, and exchange experiences in taking care of the well-being of foreign workers between Thailand and Macau. The occasion took place at Avenida Doutor.
The Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, thanked the Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs of Macau for the warm welcome. On behalf of the Ministry of Labour of Thailand, he was pleased to have the opportunity to visit Macau. The visit to Macau this time aims to strengthen labour relations, exchange knowledge on labour, and exchange experiences in taking care of the well-being of foreign workers between Thailand and Macau. The Thai Ministry of Labour plays an essential role in preparing language skills, such as Mandarin and English, for workers before they travel to work and take care of Thais while they are working abroad and after they travel to work overseas.
“Today’s discussion will increase channels and opportunities for Thai workers to work in Macau in areas where there is a shortage. The efforts are in line with the Ministry of Labour’s policy to promote employment opportunities for Thai workers, especially those working abroad. I would like to thank the Macau government for continuously hiring Thai workers in the service and hotel sectors, as well as for taking care of and paying attention to foreign workers so that they receive protection under labour laws in accordance with international standards,” said Mr. Siraphop.
The Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, added that Macau is a vital labour market with Thai workers working in various positions such as receptionists, waiters, cleaners, chefs, spa masseurs, and others. The Ministry of Labour has a labour office in Hong Kong under the supervision of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong, which is responsible for expanding the labour market and taking care of Thai workers in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as coordinating with the Macau Labour Department and the Macau Immigration Department to implement one-stop services for hiring Thai workers and after-sales services to take care of Thai workers when their contracts expire.
“Many service sector employers in Macau admire Thai workers, saying that they are diligent, responsible, kind, learn quickly, and have good interpersonal skills that are suitable for service work. Currently, various establishments in Macau have expanded their businesses, and there is an increasing demand for service sector workers. The Ministry of Labour is accelerating the development of Thai workers to have the qualifications, including professional skills and foreign language skills, as specified by Macau employers so that Thai workers have the opportunity to be employed with establishments with international standards in order to support the upgrading of skills and forward them to the business sector to create employment and drive the economies of both countries forward together,” said Mr. Pairoj.
