Thai trade unions strengthen action on safe and healthy workplaces

BANGKOK (ILO News) - The capacity of Thai trade unions to help workers exercise their rights and duties for safer and healthier workplaces is being strengthened with the support of the ILO and Government of Japan.

A workshop, held in Bangkok from 9 to 10 January 2026, brought together 21 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) focal points from four trade unions under the International Trade Union Confederation - Thailand Council (ITUC-TC).

The two-day event marked the first in a series of capacity-building initiatives designed to equip trade unions with practical tools to help workers translate their rights into action, contributing to the realization of safe and healthy working environments as a fundamental principle and right at work.

In her opening remarks, Xiaoyan Qian, Director, ILO Decent Work Country Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, emphasized that, "safe and healthy work cannot be achieved by workers alone." She highlighted the importance of collaboration among workers, employers and the government, noting that safety and health at work as a shared responsibility.

Representing ITUC-TC, Manop Kuerat, General secretary, State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation (SERC), underscored while Thailand has ratified two of the ILO's fundamental Conventions - Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational, and Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) more needs to be done.

"Ratification alone is not enough," he said. "There remains a lot of room for improvement, and trade unions stand ready to play their part in turning commitments into safer workplaces for all workers."

During the workshop, participants reviewed the roles and duties of workers on OSH in accordance with International Labour Standards and national laws. They also shared good practices, did OSH exercises, and developed immediate and medium-term union actions plans to support peers in improving safety and health in their workplaces.

"Workers can and should take the lead in promoting safe and healthy working environments," said Dr Yuka Ujita, ILO Senior OSH Specialist and lead trainer for the capacity-building programme.

"Trade unions play a critical role in motivating and supporting workers to take action. The strong interest and commitment demonstrated by the union OSH focal points during this workshop is promising, and will be further strengthened through two upcoming workshops."

The event was organized by the "Promoting a safe and healthy working environment in Thailand and Cambodia" project, funded by the Government of Japan.