On July 9, 2024, at 13.30 hours, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, assigned the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-Generals, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, to chair the opening of the first meeting of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for Migrant Advocacy for Rights. The Director of the International Labour Office for Thailand, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ms. Xiaoyan Qian, gave a welcome speech. Meeting participants and officials of relevant agencies joined in the welcome at the Duangkamon Room, 2nd floor, The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok.
Mr. Samat said that the Migrant Advocacy for Rights (MARs) project is an academic cooperation project of the International Labour Organization, funded by the United States government. It has a three-year implementation period from September 2023 to September 2026. The project aims to raise awareness of the rights of migrant workers in the agricultural and informal manufacturing sectors both inside and outside Thailand’s special economic zones. The project’s guidelines are to create awareness among migrant workers about their rights to form unions and join as members of unions and labor networks, using a strategy that emphasizes accessibility to all groups and gender issues. This will enable the project to reach marginalized groups such as women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities, as well as promote listening to diverse voices, with the target group being migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Mr. Samat continued that the first Project Advisory Committee meeting today was to present an overview of the project and expected results. In today’s meeting, he asked everyone to jointly consider the project implementation proposal, discuss techniques, strategies, or concerns, and find a common conclusion for the project implementation guidelines to be consistent and responsive to Thailand’s current situation. At present, Thailand has a large population of migrant workers, especially workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Most of the workers work in agriculture and manufacturing and are an essential force that plays a role in developing the national economy to be more prosperous. These workers should have rights and social protection. It is a challenge for all sectors to work together to drive the mission to fruition.
“The Ministry of Labour endeavors to ensure that workers in all sectors receive equal rights and protection in labour, welfare, and social security, without anyone left behind. This effort will be achieved with the cooperation and support of all trilateral agencies. Everyone’s cooperation will be an important factor in pushing forward policies and practices to support awareness of the rights of all groups of migrant workers,” said Mr. Samat.
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