Remarks

By

His Excellency Mr. Phaithoon Kaeothong

Minister of Labour

Head of the Thai Delegation

At the 21^st ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting

24 May 2010, Melia Hanoi Hotel, Vietnam

Excellencies the ASEAN Labour Ministers
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 Good Morning

          1. On behalf of the ASEAN Member States, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thank to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for hosting this important Meeting. It gives me great pleasure to deliver the remarks at the 21st ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting.

          2. As you may be well aware, following the 20th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting on 7-8 May 2008 in Thailand, the progress has been made by ASEAN Member States in term of enhancing and promoting better lives and working conditions for all workers and promoting decent works for migrant workers.

          3.The ASEAN cooperation on labour has focused on areas concerning progressive labour practices such as occupational safety and health and Cooperate Social Responsibility or CSR. To support the various activities, ASEAN continues to work closely with several Dialogue Partners and the International Labour Organization.

          4. I would like to reiterate my thanks to all ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, International Labour Organization and all development partners for your continuous support and cooperation during Thailand's tenure as the chairman of ASEAN Labour.

          5. Due to the recent disturbing situation in Thailand, order has now been restored and the government will continue to swiftly restore normalcy throughout the country. Let me reassure that our country is now secure and safe. I would like to welcome you back to our country.

          6. In the occasion that Thailand will organise the Eighth ASEAN Skills Competition in Bangkok during 14 - 22 November 20 I0, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all the ASEAN member states to attend this very important event.

          7. Finally, I wish the next chair great success in building on the achievements of our aspirations and objectives toward the vision of the ASEAN Labour Ministers in order to facilitate regional integration and ASEAN community building. Thailand will continue to cooperate and work closely with the chair and the ASEAN community.

          8. Thank You.