A pioneering mentorship initiative in Thailand’s automotive sector has provided key stakeholders with knowledge and tools to improve workplace practices, strengthen industrial relations, and support responsible business. The International Labour Organization (ILO) implemented the social dialogue mentorship programme, reaching over 350 managers, HR professionals, trade unionists, and worker representatives across the automotive supply chain.
The programme, carried out from October 2024 to August 2025 under the ILO-Japan Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) project, created a platform for constructive engagement between employers and workers. It is part of a broader ILO toolkit that includes bilingual practical guidelines and training to help companies and workers embed social dialogue into daily operations.
By combining strategic guidance with hands-on application, the mentorship equips firms to align workplace practices with national and international standards while preparing enterprises for human rights due diligence (HRDD). David Williams, manager of the ILO RISSC project, highlighted that the initiative demonstrates how context-specific social dialogue can deliver tangible value, boosting resilience, adaptability, and competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry.
Social dialogue, which involves negotiation, consultation, or exchange of information on workplace issues, can be tripartite—engaging government, workers, and employers—or bipartite, between employers and worker representatives. It not only promotes decent work but also serves as a framework for businesses to address risks and challenges responsibly through HRDD.
Thailand’s automotive industry, among the world’s leading producers and exporters, contributes nearly 10 per cent of the country’s manufacturing GDP and employs close to one million workers. It encompasses major global automakers and an extensive supply chain of domestic and international auto parts suppliers, making it a key sector for implementing responsible business practices.
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