On October 29, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, assigned the Secretariat to the Labour Minister, Mr. Suthep Chitvong, as the head of the Thai delegation, together with the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, and delegation, to join the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Labour Ministers Meeting (12th ALMM+3). The Thai Ambassador to Manila, Mr. Tul Traisorat, attended the meeting To acknowledge the progress of labour operations and to promote labour cooperation among the ASEAN Plus Three nations, namely the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The meeting raised issues on cooperation to transform the world of work in the ASEAN Community towards participative and sustainable growth and revitalization of digital technology.
Mr. Suthep said that it is well known that the world has been faced with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. This situation was a catalyst for life and worked to change by leaps and bounds. Digital technology has played a rapidly increasing role in our lives and work. The Thai government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the Ministry of Labour, and Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin is aware of such changes. Therefore, there are policies in place to accelerate the development of skilled workers to have digital knowledge and adjust training formats to the changing behaviour of trainees by adding channels and access to online training. The initiative aims to meet the needs of workers who want to develop themselves. It gives them access to training on demand. In addition, the Ministry of Labour recognizes the importance of human resource development in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). It continues to work on this issue under the cooperation of the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council to strengthen the region’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training system. It is also an important driver for the revival and further development of the region.
Mr. Suthep continued that for this meeting, the Ministry of Labour endorsed in principle the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Draft Joint Ministerial Declaration reflecting the priorities and continued cooperation between ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The Ministry of Labour proposed to seek further approval from the Cabinet. The Ministry of Labour is prepared to work on labour and human resource development under the framework of ASEAN cooperation with all sectors to help the region’s operations achieve the set goals and to be a region that grows prosperously together.
“The outcomes of this meeting will greatly benefit developing skilled workers in Thailand to have digital skills. It will enable workers to support the new ways of work that change with the environment so that workers can take advantage of digital technology and meet the needs of the future labour market. It also increases the country’s potential and competitiveness to enable skilled workers to have a career, a job, a stable income, and a quality of life.
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Division of Public Relations
29 October 2022
