Lanka, Thailand sign agreements to boost worker employment

Sri Lanka and Thailand have signed two agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the labour sector and facilitate the employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

The agreements were signed in Bangkok on Monday (14) by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and Thai Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The agreements establish a framework to formalise the recruitment and employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand while ensuring their rights, welfare and protection.

The Thai Cabinet has approved the initial recruitment of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers under the established legal framework to help address labour shortages in Thailand, the ministry said.

The memorandum of understanding provides for cooperation in labour policies and practices, labour market information, skills development, productivity and worker protection. It also seeks to prevent illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

The agreements are expected to promote safe, orderly and mutually beneficial labour mobility between the two countries.

Herath thanked the Thai Government for opening up employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers and stressed the need to safeguard their rights, welfare and social protection.