Thailand's new Minister of Labor said the government will work with the Solidarity Center, an American-based labor rights organization, on issues of worker rights, gender equality and occupational health and safety. 

Minister of Labor Phipat Ratchakitprakarn made the announcement during a meeting in Bangkok last week with David John Welsh, the director of the Solidarity Center headquartered in Washington, D.C, which promotes worker rights worldwide.

Thailand’s record on labor issues has been steadily and consistently improving in recent years, as labor rights issues have gained more interests with respect to international trade agreements and partnerships. Thailand has signed numerous International Labor Organization conventions and has been strengthening cooperation with labor rights groups.

"We hope for continued partnership between the Ministry of Labor and the Center, especially to uphold and ensure the rights of Thai workers under labor laws," Minister Phipat said.

He thanked the Center for helping to resolve a case involving compensation for local workers when a factory belonging to an American company closed.

The Minister also expressed "his appreciation for the Center's role in supporting the Ministry's work on workplace safety and occupational health, promotion and protection of labor rights, elimination of discrimination, and gender equality for all workers. The Ministry stands ready to continue to work together with the Center."

Welsh thanked the government for the opportunity to engage on labor issues and said his organization is ready to work with the Ministry to protect the rights of Thai workers.

Human trafficking is closely related to labor rights, as many people seeking to work in foreign countries fall into the hands of criminal traffickers. Last week, Thailand's National Police Chief announced the arrest of a Bangladeshi citizen in Thailand alleged to have run a trafficking operation smuggling Bangladeshi workers through Thailand for indentured servitude in neighboring Malaysia.

Photo courtesy of https://www.mol.go.th/news/