ILO Launches Toolkit to Strengthen Social Dialogue in Thailand's Automotive Supply Chain

David Williams, Manager of the RISSC Project, emphasized that social dialogue is a key element of industrial relations and responsible business practices.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed a new toolkit aimed at improving social dialogue within Thailand’s automotive supply chain, promoting responsible business practices and enhancing worker-employer cooperation. Social dialogue, as defined by the ILO, encompasses all forms of negotiation, consultation, or information exchange between representatives of governments, employers, and workers.

A recent ILO report revealed that strengthening social dialogue and representation in the industry would help address key decent work issues, including discrimination, long working hours, and limited access to training and career advancement.

In response, the ILO’s Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) project in Thailand has created a practical toolkit designed to improve communication and collaboration between employers and workers at the enterprise level. The toolkit, which targets company managers and trade unions, aligns with both national and international standards and addresses emerging supply chain needs. It includes comprehensive guidelines, interactive training modules, and mentoring and advisory services for businesses in Thailand’s automotive sector.

To introduce the toolkit, 70 representatives from the government, employers' associations, trade unions, and automotive companies participated in a training session in Bangkok on 9-10 September 2024. They learned how the toolkit can be applied to foster better workplace relations and mitigate labor risks in the automotive industry.

David Williams, Manager of the RISSC Project, emphasized that social dialogue is a key element of industrial relations and responsible business practices. He highlighted its role in improving decent work conditions and supporting human rights due diligence efforts within the automotive supply chain.

As one of the world’s leading automotive producers and exporters, Thailand’s automotive industry is vital to its economy, contributing over 10% of the country’s GDP and employing nearly a million workers. The toolkit, set to be fully released to the public in December 2024, is expected to help further strengthen the sector by promoting cooperation between management and workers.