Bangkok: The government is cracking down on child labor, partnering with the private sector to create 10,000 summer jobs. Strict controls will be enforced to prohibit the employment of children under 15, ensuring protection according to international standards and providing opportunities for youth to grow up in a quality environment.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that, in observance of World Day Against Child Labour, which falls on June 12th every year, the government prioritizes the protection of children and youth from inappropriate labor practices. The government also promotes access to education, skills development, and appropriate employment opportunities for children and youth, so that they can grow into vital contributors to the country's future.
Child labor remains a challenge for many countries worldwide. Recent data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF indicates that currently, over 138 million children globally are in child labor, and more than 54 million work in conditions that are hazardous to their health and development. This highlights the crucial need for all sectors to work together to protect children's rights.
Captain Patthadarasmi said that Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, the Minister of Labour, has instructed all agencies under his ministry to move forward with concrete measures to prevent and address the issue of child labour. She noted that this problem is linked to economic and social inequality, as well as the vulnerability of children in migrant worker families and some Thai children who enter the labour market prematurely due to income limitations and family circumstances.
The Ministry of Labour has continuously implemented proactive measures, such as promoting employment for students during school breaks through collaboration with over 56 leading companies nationwide, offering more than 10,000 job opportunities. This ensures that young people have appropriate income and work experience under the protection of labour laws.
Furthermore, there is vocational skills development for unemployed youth to upgrade them from unskilled to skilled workers. This involves integrating collaboration with educational institutions to prepare them for the labor market, as well as promoting knowledge of labor rights and workplace safety, so that young people can pursue quality careers and secure stable incomes in the future.
In terms of rights protection, the Ministry of Labour continues to strictly enforce the law, absolutely prohibiting employers from hiring children under 15 years of age. Children aged 15-17 years are only allowed to work in jobs specified by law and must receive welfare protection, working hours, and safety protections according to established standards.
Simultaneously, the initiative encourages businesses nationwide to declare themselves child labor-free and free from labor trafficking, as well as pushing for Thai labor standards to align with international standards in order to build confidence among international trading partners and enhance Thailand's image on the world stage.
'The government believes that every child should have the opportunity to learn and develop their full potential. Therefore, preventing child labor is not just about enforcing laws, but also about creating educational opportunities, developing skills, and comprehensively protecting their rights, so that children and youth can grow up safely, have a good quality of life, and be ready to become important contributors to the country's development in the future.