The Cabinet met on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet approved in principle the draft Act on Prevention and Suppression of Forced Labor, B.E…., as proposed by Ministry of Labor, and ordered that it be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly not before submission of the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P29).
The draft Act refers to situations in which persons are coerced to work against their will through the use of violence or intimidation, or by more subtle means such as accumulated debt, retention of personal documents or threats of denunciation to immigration authorities. It also stipulates establishment of fund for prevention and suppresson of forced labor to help and provide remedies to forced labor victims, or to assist those who are charged for forced labour exploitation in a foreign country to return to the Kingdom or home. Measures on assistance and protection of forced labor victims, and penalties are also stipulated in the draft Act.
The cabinet approved Request for establishment of new agencies in accordance with national reform plan in various areas as proposed by Office of the Pubic Sector Development Commission (OPDC) on condition that priority be placed on improvement of roles, missions, and structure of existing agencies. A new agency should be established only when there is a necessity, and budget aspect needs to be taken into account. OPDC is assigned to conduct detailed study on the necessity and cost-effectiveness on the matter.
OPDC reported that the national reform plan in 11 areas comprises proposal to adjust missions and structure of public agencies in order to accommodate mobilization of national reform plan. Detail is as follows:
1. Proposal to set up 31 new agencies
2. Proposal to adjust missions and roles of 24 existing public agencies for capacity enhancement
3. Proposal to establish 21 new agencies that are not under the authority of OPDC
However, requests for establishment of new agencies are not in line with the national strategy on balancing and streamlining public administration system. In light of this, OPDC, in its 2/2018 meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, has made a resolution for the priority be placed on improvement of roles, missions, and structure of existing agencies. A new agency should be established only when there is a necessity, and budget aspect needs to be taken into account.
The cabinet acknowledged certification of Satun Geopark as Thailand's first Unesco Global Geopark as proposed by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in its 204th Session of the Executive Board on April 17, 2018 in Paris, Republic of France, approved nomination of Satun Geopark as a Unesco Global Geopark. The status of Satun UNESCO Global Geopark will be revalidated after 4 years by UNESCO experts to ensure qualifications and quality of the global geopark.
The cabinet approved Ratification of International Labor Organization (ILO) Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P29), as proposed by Ministry of Labor, and ordered for it to be forwarded to National Legistlative Assembly. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned to prepare the instrument of ratification for the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P29).
Ratification of the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P29) demonstrates tangible commitment of the Thai Government to prevent and eliminate forced labor, and to remedy forced-labor victims in accordance with the international standard. The ratification not only contributes to Thailand’s image in the global community, but also has positive impact on the export of Thai products, especially the seafood industry which has been claimed to involve use of forced labor. Minister of Labor will deposit the instrument of ratification for the ILO Protocol of 2014 on June 2-8, 2018.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) May 01, 2018--