On November 26, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, gave an opening speech at the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand’s Annual General Meeting No/ 15/2022. Chairman of the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand, Mr. Manit Promkarikul, the Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province, Mr. Naris Niramaiwong, the Ministry of Labour’s executives, heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Chonburi Province, and labour leaders have welcome at the meeting room at D Varee Jomtien Beach Pattaya Hotel, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
Mr. Suchart said that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, gives importance to developing the quality of life for workers. The Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand is considered one of the mechanisms that will drive the automotive industry forward. In the past, the organization’s executive committee and members have jointly managed the work in harmony and unison, promoting the organization’s rapid growth in only 15 years. It operates based on good labour relations, collaborates with the Ministry of Labour and government agencies in various projects and activities, and is considered a good role model.
Mr. Suchart continued that during the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone played a part and joined forces to overcome the situation. During that time, the government, through the Ministry of Labour, had various measures to support employers and workers, such as opening COVID checkpoints, organizing vaccinations and Hospitels, reducing contributions, launching the Factory Sandbox project, providing remedies to employers and insured persons in 29 provinces and entertainment businesses, providing remedies from closures of construction worker’s camp, and retaining employment to assist SMEs. The efforts supported exports to grow to the highest level in 30 years. Data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that analyzed global economic trends in the October 2022 issue found that Thailand’s unemployment rate is “the lowest in the world.” Even last year, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment dropped to only 1.5%, which is second only to Kuwait, with a population of 4 million. It is one of the few countries where the IMF expects positive economic growth, where the GDP will rise from 2.8 to 3.7. In Asia, only Thailand and China, 3.2 to 4.4, are expected to have a positive GDP, excluding Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, the Ministry of Labour has also laid the foundation for future security for workers. For example, adjusting the minimum wage to provide appropriate incomes, accelerating the push to amend the social security law with three requests, and establishing a bank for insured persons and homes for insured persons.
“I would like to commend the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand for its commitment to maintaining unity and adherence to good labour relations principles, to develop and strengthen the workforce so that the country’s automotive industry can stand up and move forward together steadily. The efforts will promote the country’s economic strength and create mutual benefits and happiness for employers and employees,” concluded Mr. Suchart.
1. Chairman of the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand, Mr. Manit Promkarikul, said the COVID-19 outbreaks impacted their morale greatly. They didn’t dare go out to work for fear of bringing COVID into their homes and infecting their families. When the government supported screenings and vaccinations for Section 33 insured persons, and launched the Factory Sandbox project, they could go out to work with peace of mind. The factories themselves were able to continue their business. Most importantly, it allowed workers to get many months in bonuses because companies could export high volumes. Therefore, he thanked the government, the Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, for helping him get through the crisis.
