On 4 June 2018, H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, accompanied H.E. Pol. Gen. Adul Sangsingkeo, Minister of Labour, to deposit the instrument of ratification for the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 to H.E. Mr. Guy Ryder, Director-General of International Labour Organization (ILO), on behalf of the Royal Thai Government at Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. Thailand is the 24th member country of ILO, and the first in Asia, to deposit the Protocol. 

 

Thailand has ratified ILO Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour, 1930 on 26 February 1969. Today, forced labour has evolved into complex situations that demand an updated response. In this connection, the Protocol was drafted to fill-in existing gaps, with special focus on the prevention, protection and remedy for victims of forced labour.  

 

The ratification reassures Thailand’s commitments in the prevention and elimination of forced labour, the protection and remedy for victims of forced labour in Thailand. It also reflects Thailand’s intention to improve Thai labour standards. The Protocol will enter into force on 4 June 2019, 12 months after the ratification. 

 

Currently, Thailand is drafting Prevention and Elimination of Forced Labour Act as an implementing legislation for the Protocol of 2014. The draft legislation will focus on improving the effectiveness of measures to prevent and suppress forced labour that are in line with the Convention No. 29 and the Protocol of 2014.