The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General and spokesperson Mr. Ananchai Uthaipatanacheep, revealed that Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul has emphasized the focus on workforce development in correspondence to labour demands in all industries, in alignment with the 20-year National Human Resource Development Framework (2017 – 2036). He explained that the framework’s success begins with the foundations in the first 5 years, where collaboration has been made with another 15 agencies to generate a first 5-year labour plan (2017 – 2021). The Cabinet has given approval for the Ministry of Labour to be the central unit in developing this plan to ensure alignment with all important dimensions.
From a study of information from the first s-curve and new s-curve in 10 industries from 2017 – 2021, research found a labour demand for 69,242 people per year. The 3 industries demanding more labour included high-income tourism and health tourism with an average annual demand of 18,558 workers, followed by the seafood processing industry with a demand of 10,794 workers and the digital industry with 9,192 workers. The Ministry of Labour and relevant units have taken the following actions to support future labour needs:
In 2017, the labour demand in 10 targeted industries totals 72,440 workers. The ministry has prepared a total of 205,281 workers comprising 6,540 people prepared to enter the workforce, 7,700 through new worker development and 191,041 from tripartite/cooperative education, and another 3,000 targeted for training before discharge from the army.
In 2018, the labour demand in 10 targeted industries totals 70,525 workers. The ministry has prepared a total of 191,850 workers comprising 10,000 people prepared to enter the workforce, 15,400 through new worker development and 166,450 from tripartite/cooperative education, and another 10,000 targeted for training before discharge from the army.
In 2019, the labour demand in 10 targeted industries totals 68,933 workers. The ministry has prepared a total of 179,337 workers comprising 10,410 people prepared to enter the workforce, 23,100 through new worker development and 145,827 from tripartite/cooperative education.
In 2020, the labour demand in 10 targeted industries totals 67,647 workers. The ministry has prepared a total of 167,613 workers comprising 10,841 people prepared to enter the workforce, 23,100 through new worker development and 133,673 from tripartite/cooperative education.
In 2021, the labour demand in 10 targeted industries totals 66,666 workers. The ministry has prepared a total of 156,482 workers comprising 11,293 people prepared to enter the workforce, 23,100 through new worker development and 122,089 from tripartite/cooperative education.
Apart from the stated industries, the Ministry of Labor has also prepared the workforce to align with other smaller industries for the future, particularly in industries less preferred by Thai workers. The Ministry of Labour has taken steps to ensure legal entry of 2,615,703 migrant workers (Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian), and through MOU channels with Vietnam, whereby the ministry is under negotiation with 41 migrant worker important companies. The Ministry of Labour also has another 560,000 workers in highlands and soldiers discharged from the army, to which the Ministry of Labour has signed an MOA with the Ministry of Defense.
“The Labour Minister has said for the private sector to be confidence in the Ministry of Labour’s ability to support labour needs to promote the nation’s economy. New graduates will receive better preparation in alignment with labour demands, whereas migrant workers will enter the nation legally through MOU channels. At the same time, industries will need to adjust to new technologies and retrain people to become accustom to these systems. Some groups of workers with the inability to be developed in one industry may also move to other industries so they can maintain employment and content,” said Mr. Ananchai.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division/
Bureau of Public Relations/
Chaninthorn Phettab – News/
24 February 2017
