Boost in workers’ skills necessary to propel nation forward: minister

The development strategy encompasses the “fourth industrial reform”, development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Thailand 4.0 initiative to pull the country out of the middle-income trap, he told the “Skills and the Future of Work: Strategies for Inclusive Growth in Asia and the Pacific” forum.
The meet aimed to serve as a platform for experts, speakers from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), academics, as well as members of employer and employee organisations to discuss and exchange experiences and recommendations. 
Adul said the government sees human resources as the main force to propel the country forward, and aims to boost the country’s capacity to compete in 10 target industries. 
The target industries are the First S-curve – next-generation automotive; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology; and future-oriented foods and the New S-curve – robotics; aviation and logistics; biofuels and biochemicals; digital; and “the medical hub”. 

‘Ready for the future’
Adul pointed out that Thailand was also ready for constructive cooperation and will serve as part of the Asia-Pacific region to develop human resources for meaningful work.
Meanwhile, with the ILO marking its 100th anniversary next year, seven initiatives will be implemented with the aim of helping the agency meet its social-justice mandate. They are: 
Future of Work: Initiating and cultivating a global dialogue on the future of work, building the ILO’s ability to guide governments, workers and employers to better meet work challenges of the next century;
End to Poverty: Promoting a multidimensional response through work, labour markets, and social and employment protection to eradicate global poverty;
Women at work: Reviewing the place and condition of women in the world of work and engaging workers, employers and governments in concrete action to realise equality of opportunity and treatment; 
The Green: Scaling up knowledge, policy advice and tools for managing a just transition to a low carbon, sustainable future; 
The Standards: Enhancing the relevance of international labour standards through a review mechanism and consolidating tripartite consensus on an authoritative supervisory system;
The Enterprises: Establishing a platform for the ILO to engage with enterprises that will contribute to their sustainability and ILO’s goals; and 
Governance: Reforming the ILO’s governance structures, assessing the impact of the 2008 Declaration as set out in its final provisions, and acting on its findings.