The Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn joined bilateral discussions to strengthen labour cooperation with the Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Marina Elvira Calderone. The discussions took place at the United Nations Building in Geneva, Switzerland. The Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, the Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, the Ministry of Labour’;s Inspector-Generals, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, and the Ministry of Labour’s executives joined the occasion.
Mr. Phiphat thanked Italy for its interest in strengthening labour relations with Thailand. In his meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Thailand, the Ambassador raised the issue of creating an MOU to expand opportunities for Thai workers to work in Italy in the agriculture and other sectors where wages are high, and the jobs offer good welfare. Thai workers’ skills match the needs of Italian employers, and workers are already interested in traveling to work in Italy. Today’s discussion is, therefore, an excellent opportunity to help drive market expansion and increase opportunities for Thai workers to work abroad.
Mr. Phiphat spoke about Thailand’s readiness to expand the labour market. He said that if the Italian government wishes for agricultural workers, the Thai Ministry of Labour is ready and willing to support sending this group of workers to work in Italy. Therefore, he requested the Italian government to help support such cooperation to achieve success. In addition, service sector workers such as spas and Thai massage are skilled workers who are accepted by many countries and are a group of workers interested in traveling to work in Italy legitimately.
The Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Marina Elvira Calderone, said that today’s discussion is beneficial to the quality of life of workers and the growth of business sectors and economies in both countries. She will present Thailand to the government to increase the list of countries to create an MOU between the two countries.
