Bangkok: Thailand's Cabinet has given the green light to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health, 1981, alongside the 2002 Protocol Supplementary to the same convention.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, disclosed that while the Cabinet approved the move, there was some reservation from the Ministry of Labor about certain proposals. The Cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with preparing the Instrument of Ratification necessary for accession to the ILO Convention No. 155 and its Protocol. The Minister of Labour will be responsible for depositing this instrument with the ILO Director-General during the 113th ILO Annual General Meeting set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 9-13, 2025.
Mr. Karom highlighted that Thailand has already been implementing measures aligned with ILO Convention No. 155 through national legislation such as the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Environment Act B.E. 2554 and the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541. The Convention mandates member states to devise national policies on occupational safety, health, and working environment, which include specific measures at both national and workplace levels.
These measures involve assessing conditions in workplace design and construction, implementing procedures for reporting occupational incidents, and ensuring that machinery and substances used in workplaces do not pose health risks. Furthermore, employers are required to maintain safe workplaces, while workers should receive appropriate training to uphold safety standards. Thailand has already adopted these practices, including the efficient recording and reporting of occupational incidents.
Mr. Karom also stated that relevant ministries, including Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Interior, Public Health, and Industry, have reviewed and raised no objections to the ratification. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Council of State concurred that the Convention and Protocol are treaties under international law and do not necessitate new legislation for compliance, thus not requiring parliamentary approval for ratification. The Foreign Relations Office confirmed that Thailand's existing legal framework is sufficient to meet the obligations outlined in the Convention and its Protocol.