The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to address the news which reported Thailand being the only country to oppose the vote on the adoption of new ILO Protocol to supplement the ILO Convention on Forced Labour No.29 on 11 June 2014 and subsequent reports on the issues of human trafficking, forced labour and child labour problems in Thailand.  

On 13 June 2014, Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave an interview with the press regarding this issue. Labour Attache at  Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva have issued a statement at the 321^st session of the International Labour Organzation Governing Body reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to and recognition of the significance of the elimination of forced labour in compliance with the Forced Labour Convention (NO.29).  However,  to adopt any specific instrument, Thailand has to seriously consider her own readiness to implement such an instrument, in conformity with relevant Thai laws. Therefore, Thailand did not vote in favour of the Protocol but vote in support of the Recommendation as it could promptly be implemented.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to further reiterate the importance of this issue and Thailand’s strong commitment to eliminate forced or compulsory labour. Thailand, therefore, joins the consensus in adopting the said Protocol bearing in mind our need to proceed in accordance with our domestic legal requirements.