ASEAN
25 May 2014
Thai Deputy Prime Minister supports Asian trade union leaders
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, offered warm words of support to trade union leaders at the 4th UNI Apro Conference today.
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, offered warm words of support to trade union leaders in his keynote address at the 4th UNI Apro Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, 30 August 2013.
Thailand is of course a country that has experienced much internal conflict over the years, especially because of the income and opportunity gaps between the urban elites and poor rural populations.
He strongly supported in particular the conference theme of “Flexibility vs Security and Decent Work in an emerging Asia and Pacific – Trade Unions Empowerment Initiatives to secure a balance between flexibility and security”.
The Deputy Prime Minister empathized with Asian workers as he recalled the beginning of his own career as a junior government worker. He noted that employers expect efficiency and flexibility, while workers expect decent work. It is important to balance these two sides, and for employers and employees to cooperate together. Both sides can achieve their respective goals.
Phongthep Thepkanjana stressed the importance of tripartite discussions in the labor market. When workers and employers cannot agree, the government can help foster consensus.
The Deputy Prime Minister discussed his government's decision to increase the minimum wage by 50% to improve workers' well-being. When it received complaints from business, the government reduced company tax rates from 30% to 20% and offered soft loans to business -- rather than backtracking on the minimum wage rise.
Phongthep Thepkanjana welcomed the UNI's recent global framework agreements with multinational enterprises. UNI has concluded such agreements with, for example, Telenor, G4S, Takashimaya and ISS. The Deputy Prime Minister would like SMEs in the supply chains of these enterprises to also follow the framework agreements.
This support for UNI's global framework agreements is very important. These are agreements between a multinational enterprise and UNI, on behalf of the unions which represent its employees anywhere in the world. In practice, it means a commitment to observe the labor standards of the International Labor Organisation.
It goes without saying that the assembled trade union leaders were delighted with the Deputy Prime Minister's strong support for their goals of decent work and inclusive growth. Union leaders were also greatly impressed by his manifest sincerity, modesty and warm-heartedness.
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com
Thailand is of course a country that has experienced much internal conflict over the years, especially because of the income and opportunity gaps between the urban elites and poor rural populations.
He strongly supported in particular the conference theme of “Flexibility vs Security and Decent Work in an emerging Asia and Pacific – Trade Unions Empowerment Initiatives to secure a balance between flexibility and security”.
The Deputy Prime Minister empathized with Asian workers as he recalled the beginning of his own career as a junior government worker. He noted that employers expect efficiency and flexibility, while workers expect decent work. It is important to balance these two sides, and for employers and employees to cooperate together. Both sides can achieve their respective goals.
Phongthep Thepkanjana stressed the importance of tripartite discussions in the labor market. When workers and employers cannot agree, the government can help foster consensus.
The Deputy Prime Minister discussed his government's decision to increase the minimum wage by 50% to improve workers' well-being. When it received complaints from business, the government reduced company tax rates from 30% to 20% and offered soft loans to business -- rather than backtracking on the minimum wage rise.
Phongthep Thepkanjana welcomed the UNI's recent global framework agreements with multinational enterprises. UNI has concluded such agreements with, for example, Telenor, G4S, Takashimaya and ISS. The Deputy Prime Minister would like SMEs in the supply chains of these enterprises to also follow the framework agreements.
This support for UNI's global framework agreements is very important. These are agreements between a multinational enterprise and UNI, on behalf of the unions which represent its employees anywhere in the world. In practice, it means a commitment to observe the labor standards of the International Labor Organisation.
It goes without saying that the assembled trade union leaders were delighted with the Deputy Prime Minister's strong support for their goals of decent work and inclusive growth. Union leaders were also greatly impressed by his manifest sincerity, modesty and warm-heartedness.
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com