Thailand and UAE Strengthen Labour Cooperation, Aim to Increase Employment Opportunities for Thai Workers

Pol. Lt. Col. Wannaphong Katcharak, (วรรณพงษ์ คชรักษ์) Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour of Thailand, led a Thai delegation to a bilateral meeting with Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation of the United Arab Emirates and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Thai delegation included Ms. Nipa Niranan, (นิภา นิรันดร์นุต) Consul-General in Dubai; Ms. Sadudee Kittisuwan, (สดุดี กิตติสุวรรณ) Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation; and Ms. Alisa Suphap, (อลิสา สุภาพ) Minister Counsellor (Labour) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to continue cooperation following the expiration of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Labour Cooperation. The Thai side proposed proceeding with the renewal of the MOU while temporarily reserving discussion on the protocol concerning domestic workers, in order to avoid delays. The UAE expressed no objection and suggested pursuing additional areas of cooperation in parallel.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted that the UAE has a demand for approximately 50,000 foreign workers per year, while the current number of Thai workers in the UAE stands at around 12,000. Thailand therefore aims to increase Thai employment in key sectors, including hospitality and services, where Thai workers are internationally recognised for service excellence; healthcare, a rapidly growing sector in the UAE; as well as construction, general labour, security services, and infrastructure-related occupations.

Regarding employment contracts, the UAE confirmed that Thai language will be added as an additional language in employment contracts for Thai workers, alongside English and Arabic. The UAE also utilises AI technology and QR code systems in labour contracts to enable workers to verify legal compliance, helping to prevent fraud and illegal recruitment.

The UAE further proposed enhancing recruitment efficiency through online selection systems, allowing employers to recruit from a pre-screened Talent Pool of trained workers. Certification and skills training would be conducted in Thailand prior to deployment, aligning with the UAE’s labour market needs.

In terms of labour protection, Thai workers in the UAE are entitled to benefits under UAE law, including health insurance, unemployment insurance, and wage protection, ensuring safety and dignity at work.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannaphong expressed appreciation for the UAE’s continued commitment to protecting Thai workers and reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries in advancing sustainable labour cooperation.