Bangkok – The Thai Labour Ministry, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NGO umbrella group Migrant Working Group (MWG) have hosted a national seminar to plan the implementation of new laws designed to outlaw forced labour in Thailand.   

The “National Forum on Directions in the Implementation of Solutions to Address Forced Labour Problems under the Royal Decree of 2019” brought together over 200 representatives from government bodies, civil society, international organizations, academia and the private sector.   

The Royal Decree of 2019 aims to tackle human trafficking and labour rights violations, making Thailand a safe country of destination for migrant workers from neighbouring countries including Myanmar, Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It also aims to address Thai national security concerns.   

“Thailand has recruited migrant workers in order to alleviate labour shortages. Currently, over three million migrants are working in Thailand. We expect all migrant workers to be properly documented and to be treated with equality and dignity under Thai law,” said Labour Ministry official Nakorn Wanpimool. 

The new Thai legislation reflects the government’s commitment to cracking down on forced labour and human trafficking. But systematic implementation of the law, including terminology, remains problematic, according to IOM Thailand Chief of Mission Dana Graber Ladek.    

“Law enforcement agencies and the private sector still don’t always agree on terms such as ‘exploitation’, ‘forced labour’ or what constitutes the crime of ‘human trafficking’. This national forum is an important step towards resolving those issues and helping the government to deliver on its commitment to address rights violations,” she said. 

For more information, please contact Panitee Nuykram at IOM Thailand, Tel: +66 82 455 5948, Email: pnuykram@iom.int or Rilian Agunos at the IOM Regional Office in Bangkok, Tel: +66 92 341 0830, Email: gagunos@iom.int