Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul gave a special keynote address as he chaired the commencement of the 34th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) forum in Udon Thani. He said that many provinces were currently becoming an aging society which would result in a declining workforce, further leading to the use of new technology to replace manpower which would in turn affect the environment. For this reason, ASEAN should see the importance of human resource development so that the senior population can contribute to the workforce. In doing this, the government and Ministry of Labour have consistently launched initiatives to promote senior employment in correspondence with the 20-year strategy and 12th National Economy and Social Development Plan (2017-2021) which focuses on people development throughout their whole span of life. He also spoke about the human resource development strategies which uphold King Rama 9’s sustainable economy philosophy and aims towards the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Labour Minister also touched on the Ministry of Labour’s 8 agendas for reform which will promote services, elevate living qualities and reduce social inequality.
The ASSA is an association which involves the social security systems of ASEAN member nations, promoting the development of plans in relevant organizations to support the context of an aging society. Cooperation between the ASSA members will assist effective policy design on labour, health and a sustainable pension fund for the ASEAN region. In addition to this, he explained that Thailand has given great focus to the ASSA collaboration and thus urged member nations to work closely with one another for future collaborations.
General Sirichai added that the conclusions from the meeting would be used in improving care among the informal worker population, promoting employment, training and more importantly, boosting the peoples’ confidence in the social security system.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division/
Bureau of Public Relations/
Kantipon Kusmit – News/
Sompob Silbut – Photos/
23 August 2017
