Thailand wants to include labour in FTA talks with EU
Bangkok Post | 20 Dec 2010
Thailand wants to include labour in FTA talks with EU
By Chatrudee Theparat
Dec. 20—The Thai government wants the European Union to expand free trade talks to cover labour in addition to existing pacts on industry, services and investment.
Kiat Sittheeamorn, president of the Thailand Trade Representative, said the inclusion would greatly benefit Thailand, as Thai workers could rest assured about labour quality standards, better working conditions, streamlined work permits and social welfare.
The EU is estimated to employ 10,000 Thai workers in healthcare, housemaid and nanny positions, while some countries in northern Europe need 4,000 to 5,000 workers to pick fruit a year.
The Thai government has already agreed in principle to a trade negotiation framework covering 80-90% of industry, services and investment.
Last week, it also agreed to include alcoholic drinks despite increasing attacks from activists,who fear an influx of European alcoholic drinks after tariffs fall. The EU exports 6 billion baht worth of alcoholic beverages to Thailand yearly.
Mr Kiat said the government expected to seek approval from Parliament early next year and to complete the FTA talks within two years.
Mr Kiat said the government also needed to address existing obstacles to the negotiation process while expanding trade relations. As part of the effort, the government has designated existing ministers as chiefs of trade negotiation.
Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot is the chief of the Thai-Chile and Thai-Peru free trade negotiations. Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai oversees the Thai-Australia and Thai-New Zealand FTAs. Suthad Setboonsarng, the Thailand Trade Representative for Asean, is the designated chief for the Thailand-EU negotiations and also oversees the country’s interests under the Asean FTA.
