Thailand’s government, facing global pressures and technological changes, revealed a significant restructuring of its workforce strategy on National Labour Day. Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat emphasized the challenges posed by external economic factors and internal shifts like AI, aging population, and green energy mandates. The government aims to move beyond mere economic growth, focusing on creating a “Good Job Economy” that prioritizes job quality, income security, and worker dignity.
Yodchanan outlined a new approach involving a unified national skills database to connect employer needs with worker skills. This system will be complemented by international certifications to ensure fair pay. Moreover, a new initiative called “Learn with Budget, Graduate with a Job” was introduced to enhance the digital skills of laborers. The government also plans to empower agricultural workers as “smart farmers” and expand social safety nets for gig-economy workers and informal laborers.
On International Workers’ Day, the United Nations celebrated the efforts of the International Labour Organization in promoting social justice and decent work for all. The ILO’s mission focuses on advancing human and labor rights globally, emphasizing the importance of social justice for lasting peace.
