The European Union is seeking to rapidly conclude new free trade agreements with Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries as it looks to diversify its trading partners amid increasing global uncertainty. This push follows recent trade agreements with Mercosur and India signed in January. However, critics argue that in its eagerness to expand trade relations, the EU should not overlook the opportunity to address human rights concerns, particularly the labor rights of migrant workers in Thailand.
Thailand’s economy depends heavily on millions of migrant workers, mainly from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In addition to registered migrants, millions remain undocumented—around 1.8 million of them from Myanmar—making them especially vulnerable to exploitation in sectors such as fisheries and construction. Undocumented workers often face harassment, arrest, and deportation, while all migrant workers in Thailand are legally prohibited from forming labor unions under the country’s Labor Relations Act.
Thailand has also not ratified two key International Labor Organization conventions related to freedom of association and collective bargaining. These conventions guarantee workers the right to organize and negotiate collectively, but their absence in Thailand leaves migrant workers with limited legal protection against exploitation and abuse.
The EU has previously influenced reforms in Thailand’s fishing industry. In 2015, the bloc issued a “yellow card” warning over Thailand’s failure to combat illegal fishing, which threatened possible import bans to the EU market. This pressure led Thai authorities to introduce reforms, and the warning was lifted in 2019 after significant improvements were made.
Current trade negotiations between the EU and Thailand present another opportunity to strengthen migrant worker protections. However, the EU’s usual approach to trade agreements may not be sufficient. While EU trade deals typically include chapters on trade and sustainable development that encourage labor rights protections, these commitments often remain vague and lack specific timelines, allowing countries to delay reforms indefinitely.
The EU’s experience with Vietnam demonstrates the limitations of this approach. Before the EU-Vietnam trade agreement was approved in 2020, Vietnam promised to ratify all remaining core ILO conventions by 2023. Yet the convention on freedom of association remains unratified, and the EU has struggled to respond effectively despite concerns about increasing repression in the country.
To avoid repeating such shortcomings, the EU could seek stronger commitments from Thailand, including a binding protocol for labor reforms and ILO ratification with clear deadlines and potential penalties for non-compliance. At minimum, negotiators could push for a public roadmap outlining labor reforms and ratification timelines to ensure accountability.
Clear and time-bound commitments would also support Thai lawmakers, trade unions, and civil society organizations advocating for better labor protections. Such measures could help increase pressure on the government to improve working conditions for millions of migrant workers currently exposed to abuse.
Improving labor rights would not only address ethical concerns but also benefit EU companies investing in Thailand. Without stronger legal protections, businesses risk being linked to abusive labor conditions, which could lead to legal consequences and reputational damage.
Additionally, the EU’s upcoming forced labor regulation, set to take effect in December 2027, will ban products made with forced labor from entering the EU market. If migrant worker exploitation in Thailand falls under this regulation, it could limit the country’s exports to Europe and reduce the economic benefits of a future trade agreement.
Ultimately, both the EU and Thailand have an opportunity to use trade negotiations to promote sustainable development and fair labor practices. By committing to concrete reforms, ratifying key international labor conventions, and working with civil society, trade unions, and international organizations, they could create a trade partnership that supports human rights while also strengthening economic cooperation.
