Thailand has strengthened the capacity of early-career labour inspectors to better protect vulnerable workers and address forced labour risks in fishing, agriculture and domestic work.
The training focused on labour rights protection, forced labour indicators, survivor-sensitive interview techniques, risk-based inspection planning, evidence gathering, referral mechanisms, migrant worker protection and stronger collaboration among government, employers, workers’ organizations and civil society.
The International Labour Organization, in collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare under the Ministry of Labour, organized the specialized workshop from 8 to 12 June 2026 in Rayong, Thailand.
The workshop, titled “Enhancing Capacity of Early-Career Labour Inspectors in Hard-to-Reach Sectors: Fishing, Agriculture and Domestic Work,” brought together labour inspectors, government officials, employers’ and workers’ representatives, and civil society organizations.
The programme aimed to strengthen practical inspection systems and improve protection for workers in sectors that are often difficult to monitor. These include fishing vessels, small farms and private households, where informal work arrangements, mobility and limited access can increase the risk of exploitation.
Pongthep Pethsom, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, said Thailand’s labour inspection system is adapting to changing work patterns, migration and employment relationships. He noted that strengthening inspectors’ practical capacity is essential to ensuring that all workers, including migrant workers, can access protection under labour laws and regulations.
Participants received training on sector-specific risks and practical inspection methods. They also took part in exercises and field visits designed to build hands-on skills for identifying violations, gathering evidence and referring cases for support.
The workshop also included a panel discussion with employers’ organizations, workers’ organizations and civil society groups. The session focused on improving collaboration and strengthening tripartite engagement in labour inspection and worker protection.
Xiaoyan Qian, Director of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, said effective labour inspection requires strong cooperation between labour authorities, employers, workers’ organizations and civil society.
The training reflects the continued commitment of the ILO and Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to promoting decent work, strengthening labour administration and advancing rights-based labour protection.
The workshop was organized through the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme, the Migrant Advocacy for Rights project and the PROTECT programme, which support safe migration, decent work and the protection of migrant workers’ rights across Thailand and South-East Asia.
