On March 1, 2022, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin revealed that the Cabinet’s meeting approved the labour agreement between the Thai and Saudi Arabia governments, as proposed by the Ministry of Labour. The objective of both agreements is to recruit Thai workers to work in Saudi Arabia legally, taking into account the international labour obligations of the two countries and cooperation in the fight against human trafficking, protecting the rights of employers and employees, including enforcement of regulations for fair employment contracts to ensure workers receive wages, benefits, and legal benefits.
Mr. Suchart said that this labour agreement has arisen because the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha has the policy to strengthen relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, to drive labour cooperation. In late January, they held bilateral discussions with Ahman Sulaiman ALRajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development from Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Suchart further said that the essence of the two agreements is an agreement on worker recruitment between the Thai Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development from Saudi Arabia, such as construction and services. It also includes the agreement on the recruitment of domestic workers between the Thai Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development from Saudi Arabia, such as housewives, drivers, babysitters, and gardeners.
“The draft of both labour agreements will be beneficial to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. It will be beneficial in dispatching workers efficiently and fairly. As a result, workers will have income and be legally protected. It will also support the drive of the country’s competitiveness,” concluded Mr. Suchart.
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Division of Public Relations
1 March 2022
