Employers, workers, and provincial partners in Thailand are collaborating to improve access to the Worker’s Compensation Fund (WCF) and enhance workplace safety in the country’s agriculture sector. A workshop held in Chonburi on 4 February 2026, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT), aimed to strengthen understanding of the Worker’s Compensation Act B.E. 2537 (1994) and expand WCF coverage while identifying preventive measures to reduce common agricultural hazards.
The workshop brought together 50 participants, including employers and workers from the rubber, palm oil, cassava, and pineapple sectors, along with representatives from the Chonburi Provincial Office of Labour Protection and Welfare and the Chonburi Provincial Social Security Office. Discussions emphasized the importance of safe work and effective injury protection amid labour shortages, an ageing workforce, and reliance on migrant labour, which increases occupational risks.
Migrant workers in Thailand’s agriculture sector are particularly vulnerable, often facing higher occupational hazards and limited access to social protection. Siriwan Romchatthong, Secretary-General of ECOT, highlighted that social protection is crucial for ensuring quality living and working conditions, raising awareness about WCF access, and promoting stable, responsible, and productive workplaces.
Chaerdchak Aun-kha, Director of the Chonburi Provincial Office of Labour Protection and Welfare, emphasized that adherence to labour standards and preventive measures can reduce injuries and illnesses, benefiting both businesses and the broader economy. Rungtiwa Thongsuknok of the Chonburi Provincial Social Security Office added that input from employers and migrant workers will help address practical compliance challenges and strengthen policy implementation.
Rebecca Napier-Moore, ILO Technical Officer, stressed the significance of Thailand’s agricultural sector, which employs one-third of the country’s workforce, underscoring the need for good working conditions and equal rights for all workers. Thailand hosts approximately 3.8 million documented migrant workers, over one million of whom work in agriculture, a sector contributing up to 8.6 per cent of the national GDP with an export value of US$51 billion. Many migrant workers remain excluded from social protection schemes, facing low wages, long hours, occupational risks, and limited access to labour rights.
This collaborative initiative aims to improve access to social protection, reduce workplace hazards, and support sustainable and equitable conditions for all agricultural workers in Thailand.
