On 27 April 2017 at 13.30 at the Jompol P. Pibulsongkram conference room, Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul chaired the commencement of the seminar under the theme “May Day….from Manpower to Brainpower”. In his final statement, he said that the Ministry of Labour had joined with the private sector to organize the event to honour the National Labour Day, which is 1 May each year, also known as May Day. The day is dedicated to recognize the workforce, which is a crucial mechanism in national economic growth. He said that the Ministry of Labour has consistently worked towards strengthening the workforce in terms of social security benefits and protection, for an overall better quality of living. The seminar was organized to prepare for the 20-year workforce development plan in alignment with the government’s 20-year national strategies under the vision for a “stable, prosperous and sustainable nation”. The Labour Minister said that all units would need to be flexible in the drive towards a Thailand 4.0, where the economy will be driven by technology and innovation, escaping the middle-income trap and becoming a higher-income national, recognized internationally.
Education expert from Bangkok University spoke at the seminar alongside Associate Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat from the Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, reflecting the lack of understanding amongst the workforce about the 4.0 concept, whereas the public sector continues to implement the 4.0 to resolve the middle-income problem. Deputy Director-General from the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare Mr. Suwitya Chantawong said that the government had formulated the national 20-year strategies covering areas such as stability competitiveness, people potential, social opportunities and equality and management within the government sector. The Ministry of Labour has been involved in all dimensions and has also created a 20-year national human resource development plan (2017-2036) which sets the directions for workforce development. Dr. Narong Chokwatana, businessman and representative of the private sector spoke about workforce development with the necessity for participation from all sectors in setting clear goals and required support from the government sector. He gave examples on Thailand’s future aim to produce its own machinery rather than importing which is exponentially more expensive. Mr. Chaiporn Chantana, Chairman of the Labour Congress of Thailand presented his opinion on the government’s limitations on supporting development, and that the Thailand 4.0 would require collaboration from all units including those involved with education and language because at the moment, each party is concerned about their own benefit. He concluded that in resolving people development issues, the government, employers and employees would need to work together in order to compete internationally.
Attendees included representatives from the public sector and private sectors, academics, representatives from employer and employee associations, the media and the Ministry of Labour’s own officials and officers totaling 200 people.
——————————————
27 April 2017
