Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Thailand (Ratification: 1969)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are more than two million SMEs in Thailand, employing over 10 million people. The Government reports that promotion projects implemented under the 3rd SME Promotion Master Plan for 2012–16 contributed to an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) of 59,442 million Thai baht (THB), representing a 0.43 per cent growth in the Thai economy. As of 2016, 173,435 SMEs had received in-depth capacity building support, exceeding by a vast margin the original target of 30,000 SMEs originally envisaged by the Master Plan. In addition, from 2012 to 2016, the number of registered SMEs increased to 312,141. In terms of business sustainability, the Government indicates that 292,956 SMEs remained in operation, representing 117.8 per cent of the target of 250,000 “sustainable” SMEs. The Committee takes note of the introduction of the Thai Labour Productivity Enhancement Programme which aims to improve business potential, boost competitiveness for Thai SME entrepreneurs and increase access to government services available to such entrepreneurs. The Government indicates that, during the period from 2013 to 2017, 73,536 workers and entrepreneurs received capacity-building training under the programme. The Committee notes that implementation of the programme continued in 2018 and that, as of June 2018, 59,502 workers had participated in training and programme-related activities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed, up-to-date information on the nature and impact of the measures taken to generate employment through the promotion and support of sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises.

Skills development. During the period 2012–16, the Ministry of Labour, together with the Department of Skills Development, undertook a variety of skills development measures, including provision of training to improve labour productivity and support the development of the manufacturing, tourism and service industries in preparation for the social and economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community. The Committee notes that the number of workers receiving skills development training organized pursuant to the Skills Development Promotion Act, B.E. 2545, increased from 3,227,600 persons in 2013 to 3,809,648 persons in 2016. The Government indicates that the Fund for Skill Development and the training financed by the Fund constitute an incentive measure to encourage employers to organize skills development training activities for their workers in exchange for income tax exemption eligibility. Employers who meet the criteria are exempted from income taxes in an amount equivalent to the cost of the training. The exemption prompts employers to organize training activities on their own initiative. The Government indicates that, in 2017, 4,002,284 workers received skill development training aimed at meeting labour market needs and occupation-related demands. It adds that advanced technology skill development institutes have been established in key industrial areas across the country with the objective of preparing the labour force for working in the industries of the future. Since their establishment in 2017, these institutes have provided trainings to 39,148 workers; 16,140 of which have already been employed. The Committee notes that, despite these measures, Thai labour productivity increased only slightly, from THB228,471 per person in 2012 to THB253,624 per person in 2016, owing to the low level of education of the workforce. In this respect, the Government indicates that the current 12th Social and Economic Development Plan (2017–21) focuses on human resources development that will help enlarge the pool of people with advanced skill sets with the aim of responding more rapidly and effectively to market demands. The Government further reports that training on skill development seeks to improve the employability of persons belonging to targeted groups, including victims of natural disasters, recovered drug addicts, prisoners, young persons in detention centres, injured veterans, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those in informal employment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the nature and impact of the skills development measures taken, particularly with regard to their impact on access to sustainable productive employment. The Committee further reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the manner in which the representatives of employers and workers participate in the development of vocational training programmes and measures.

Older workers. The Government indicates that it continues to strengthen its policy frameworks to enhance the promotion of employment opportunities among older persons. The Government reports that the Ministry of Labour amended article 11(3) of the Elderly Person Act B.E. 2546 (2003), to provide that older persons shall be protected and supported in their employment and have access to appropriate occupational training. In addition, the Ministry of Labour promulgated the Labour Protection Act (No. 6) B.E. 2560 (2018) to allow greater flexibility for older workers and provided legal clarity regarding their right to compensation after retirement. The Committee notes that, on 8 November 2016, the Cabinet of Thailand approved the “Aging Society Supporting Scheme”, a tax incentive programme to stimulate the employment of older persons. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the establishment of jobseeking registration and facilitation centres across the country for older persons. The Government reports that from 2015 to June 2018, 11,652 older persons registered with these centres and 3,636 secured employment. The Committee further notes the skill development programme introduced by the Government, with the aim of developing and enhancing the skills of older jobseekers. During the 2017 fiscal year, the Department of Skills Development organized training for 7,906 older persons. In addition, the older workers employment promotion campaign of the Department of Employment offers a range of programmes, including: the Employability Enhancement Programme, the Age and Experience-based Employment Promotion Programme, the Employment Promotion Programme in the Services and Tourism Sectors; and the District One (Folk) Wisdom Programme. The Committee requests the Government to communicate information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the results of the measures taken to increase employment opportunities for older workers and reduce the barriers they may encounter in accessing, advancing and remaining in employment.

Rural workers. In response to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that, under the 11th Social and Economic Development Plan (2012–16), it undertook the “Crisis Alleviation Programme: Emergency Employment Facilitation and Skill Development Services”. The Programme is tailored for specific area-based circumstances and demands and aims to facilitate employment and ensure continued income during periods of crisis. The Department of Skills Development also undertook programmes aimed at reducing income inequalities among different groups of people in different areas of the country and strengthening the grassroots economy, creating economic opportunities and enhancing competiveness for business operators of both SMEs and community enterprises. The Committee notes the three flagship trainings organized under the program to increase knowledge and expertise in new areas with the aim of broadening opportunities for employment: skills training to enhance employability; skills training to encourage self-employment and freelance activities; and skills training for special targeted groups, including the unemployed, disadvantaged groups and people with low incomes residing in rural areas. The Government indicates that, in 2016, a total of 31,150 persons participated in the programmes. The Department of Employment also launched an employment promotion outreach campaign entitled “Employment Strengthens Communities”, through which the Provincial Employment Offices across the country and Employment Promotion Mobile Units coordinated with local agencies and organizations to provide employment services such as: registration of jobseekers; employment and self-employment consultations; and recommendations on available and suitable financial resources. The Department of Employment also promoted employment for people in rural areas through its “Labour Force Preparation Programme”, which targets the unemployed, terminated workers, seasonal workers, victims of natural disasters and home workers who had previously been registered with the Department of Employment. During the period from 2015 to 2018, 10,351 people benefited from the programme. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the measures taken or envisaged to promote the employment of rural workers.