On 21 April 2017, Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul chaired the meeting to follow up progress on workforce preparation and obstacles, challenges and suggestions on labour issues from the private sector and relevant units at the EWEC Administration Office in Mae Sot, Tak. He said, “Tak is the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) outlined by the government as a Special Economic Zone which will lead to business expansions and increased employment. On this occasion, the Ministry of Labour has acknowledged the obstacles on labour shortage and the necessity to utilize migrant workers in the area. Local units and the ministry’s affiliated offices in Tak have worked together on preparing the workforce both within and surrounding provinces, focusing on skills development alignment with business needs. Tak has a current population of 631,965, with 389,899 contributing to the workforce, 247,918 (63.59 percent) of which are in the formal system with the remaining 141,981 (36.41 percent) in the informal system, mostly in the agriculture and fishing industries. For work permit applications in Tak, a total of 42,473 Burmese workers have applied from 13,430 employers. This comprises 4,574 through MOU channels, 14,884 whom have passed the nationality verification process, 21,624 holding pink cards in compliance with the NCPO’s policy, 696 unregistered or persons in highlands, 611 legal migrants and 84 whom entered through BOI channels.”
The Labour Minister continued, “The Ministry of Labour is currently focusing on driving the 20-year human resource development strategy and master plan which comprises 8 agendas for reform including reformation of the Ministry of Labour’s role, the Zero-Corruption policy, integration of information technology, the Safety Thailand policy, prevention and elimination of human trafficking, illegal and child labour, enhancing workforce productivity for a Thailand 4.0, employment promotion and improvements to the quality of lives for informal workers.”
On this occasion, the Labour Minister presented working guidelines to affiliated units in 5 provinces including Tak, Pitsanulok, Petchabhun, Sukothahi and Uttaradit. He reminded the units’ representatives to follow the royal principles of King Rama 9 and integrate operations with all relevant parties to effectively resolve issues faced by the people. The Labour Minister concluded his speech in reminding all officers and labour volunteers that they are the communication channels to the people, providing accurate information on policy, operations and progress.
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Bureau of Public Relations /
Pattarin Neeraphol – News/
Sompob Silbut – Photos/
21 April 2017
