The Cabinet met on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Command Building, Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
Title: Draft strategic plan on Thai Food to the World (2016-2021)
The Cabinet granted the following approvals to proposals made by Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB):
1. The Cabinet approved the development guideline and Draft strategic plan on Thai Food to the World (2016-2021) which focuses on integration of the value chain of food products and services. The plan consists of a food product development strategy, a food service development strategy, and a development strategy for supporting factors covering manufacturing and exportation of food products and services to meet international standards and maintain food safety based on national food sustainability and security;
2. The Cabinet approved restructuring of the National Food Committee to be in line with the implementation of Draft strategic plan on Thai Food to the World; and
3. Approved integration of budget to support implementation of Draft strategic plan on Thai Food to the World. Title: Approval for Protocol to Implement the Sixth Round Package of Commitments on Financial Services under AFAS
The Cabinet granted the following approvals to proposals made by the Ministry of Finance:
1. The Cabinet approved ratification of the Protocol to Implement the Sixth Round Package of Commitments on Financial Services under ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) and the Commitments on Financial Services Table which is included as an appendix of the Protocol;
2. The Cabinet approved signing the Protocol to Implement the Sixth Round Package of Commitments on Financial Services under AFAS. The Minister of Finance or his delegate was assigned as signatory. Ministry of Finance is authorized to amend the Protocol in places not affecting the gist of the Protocol and the benefit of Thailand without obtaining another Cabinet approval;
3. The Protocol to Implement the Sixth Round Package of Commitments on Financial Services under AFAS and the Commitments on Financial Services Table are to be proposed for consideration by the National Legislative Assembly;
4. Ministry of Finance is assigned to issue a full power to the Minister of Finance or his delegate to serve as signatory of the Protocol once the National Legislative Assembly has granted approval for the Protocol and the Table; and
5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned to submit the Protocol to Implement the Sixth Round Package of Commitments on Financial Services under AFAS to ASEAN Secretariat for acknowledgement after the Ministry of Finance or his delegate has signed the Protocol.
Title: Reorganization of Myanmar, Laotian and Cambodian migrant workers
The Cabinet granted approved the guideline for organization of Myanmar, Laotian and Cambodian migrant workers proposed by the Ministry of Labor as follows:
1.1 Guideline for reorganization of Myanmar, Laotian and Cambodian migrant workers after March 31, 2015:
1.1. Those whose nationalities have been verified by March 31, 2015 will obtain visa and work permit until March 31, 2016 (under Cabinet resolution on October 28, 2015). These workers followed all the steps required by National Council for Peace and Order within the stipulated time period. Their work permit will remain valid two years after permission ends on March 31, 2016;
1.2. Migrant workers obtaining work permit issued by the one-stop-service registration center for migrant workers and whose nationalities have not been verified by March 31, 2015 must report themselves to receive identity card by June 30, 2015, as well as new work permit. These workers will be allowed to stay in the Kingdom for one year and to work from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 to complete nationality verification. Once their nationalities are verified, they will be allowed to say and work in the Kingdom for two more years;
1.3. Those who fail to report themselves for a new ID card and work permit by June 30, 2015 will be investigated, monitored, arrested, and sent back home under the commands No. 100/2014 and No.101/2014 made by National Council for Peace and Order on July 21, 2014; and
1.4. Followers aged below 15 years old must report themselves to obtain new ID card along with migrant workers by June 30, 2015. The reporting followers will be allowed to stay in the Kingdom as stated in 1.1 and 1.2 on a case by case basis. Those not reporting themselves will be sent back home along with migrant workers as stated in 1.3.
1.2 Solution to shortage of marine fishery workers
1.1. Short-term solution: Registration for marine fishery workers will be provided. Migrant workers whose nationalities are Myanmar, Laotian and Cambodian will be allowed to stay in the Kingdom for one year from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016; and
1.2. Long-term solution: Migrant workers will be legally imported through seven stages proposed by the National Legislative Assembly as follows:
1) Registration of workers and employers, and compilation of demand for marine fishery workers.
2) Recruitment of Thai workers and approval for importation of migrant workers.
3) Selection of legal employment agencies in case of importation of migrant workers.
4) Importation of migrant workers. National Fisheries Association Thailand as representative of members of fishery employers will cooperate with employment agencies on recruitment.
5) Orientation for marine fishery workers before they go offshore.
6) Control and monitoring of fishing boats and workers on board.
7) Penalty on state and private agencies violating relevant laws or regulations.
Title: Draft strategy on ASEAN Political-Security Community for 2015-2021
The Cabinet acknowledged the draft strategy on ASEAN Political Community for 2015-2021 as proposed by the National Security Council (NSC). The draft strategy will serve as implementation framework for relevant agencies.
The draft strategy on ASEAN Political Community for 2015-2021 is a framework for relevant state agencies regarding any implementations under ASEAN Political Community to ensure benefits of Thailand in terms of national security. The strategy’s aim is to serve as a framework to prevent or reduce potential security-related impacts on Thailand under current political and security situation in ASEAN. It consists of five sub-strategies: Strategy 1 – Creating internal preparedness and cooperating with ASEAN member states to handle connectivity within the region; Strategy 2 – Enhancing internal potential and cooperating with ASEAN member states to handle non-traditional security issues; Strategy 3 – Adapting and keeping balance to maintain national security; Strategy 4 – Creating awareness and appropriate attitude towards ASEAN; and Strategy 5 – Creating ASEAN unity and balancing power with influential countries.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) March 3, 2015--