6 March, 2024The ILO 8798 Convention driving network, made up of Thai trade unions and worker organizations, says ratification of the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 is instrumental in realizing decent work for the 40 million labour force in Thailand.
While submitting a letter to demand ratification of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 to the Thai minister of labour, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, at the ministry of labour office in Bangkok, the network coordinator and president of Confederation of Industrial Labour of Thailand (CILT), Prasit Prasopsuk, said ratification of the conventions can create a fair industrial relations system and provide better quality of life for Thai workers:
“Adoption of international labour standard and protection of labour rights will promote a good image of Thailand internationally. This will definitely increase our trade competitiveness, attract more investment and drive economic growth.”
On the same day, twenty unionists from CILT and PPT Labour Union (PTTLU) also submitted a letter to the labour commission chairman, Saritphong Khruang at Parliament, calling on the government to expedite the ratification of these ILO Conventions.
In October 2023, the Thai government set up a tripartite committee and two working groups to study the feasibility of ratification of C87 and C98, as well as its consistency with the Thai labour laws. The feasibility study is expected to be concluded within a year.
However, the Federation of Thai Industries strongly opposed the ratification of the two conventions, claiming that freedom of association will lead to more strikes. The ministry of interior has concerns that if migrant workers are allowed to form labour unions, it can be a security threat that devastates the economy.
Apsorn Krissanasmit, the presidents of State Enterprises Worker' Federation of Thailand (SEWFOT) and PTTLU, said.
“As a tripartite committee member, I will continually engage stakeholders on ratification of conventions and amendment of labour laws, which is an obstacle for the government and the parliament to ratify the conventions. I commit to push for increased understanding of the benefit that the country will receive after the ratification.”
Ramon Certeza, IndustriALL's South East Asia regional secretary said:
“IndustriALL will extend support to ensure that our affiliates in Thailand engage meaningfully in social dialogue leading towards the ratification of these two conventions that workers in Thailand are wishing for to happen.”
Going forward, the ILO 8798 Convention Driving Network is planning to produce more communication and media content to enhance workers and society’s understanding of the two conventions.
This network which comprises of 26 trade unions and worker organizations was formed during a workshop in August.