Labour and Social Dialogue

Future of Work

Structural changes across the world are raising questions for economic development, and for the future forms of jobs and employment. Some of these changes are upcoming or imminent, while others are already under way. They include digital transformation and automation, as well as changes due to climate change adaptation and mitigation. While there are a range of risks, such as newly precarious work, these structural changes can also be beneficial for workers if the right measures are taken in time. FES Thailand works with the labour movement and other stakeholders to strengthen capacities and knowledge, forge alliances and develop ideas to shape an environment for decent work in the future.

Labour Solidarity

FES works with the Northern Labour Network, which brings together workers and civil society organizations to identify common issues and build strategies to face them together. This collaboration has enabled them to lobby local authorities in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, to legislate for improved workers’ protection, among other successes.

Traditionally, established trade unions have been sceptical towards their non-Thai colleagues. But we are now increasingly witnessing a better inclusion of migrant workers in some of the unions. This can be seen in particular in the manufacturing and construction sectors in the region around Bangkok, which employ large numbers of migrants. FES supports this workers’ solidarity and the development of an inclusive and participatory movement.