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Summary of a Meeting between the People Republic of China’s Minister of Civil Affairs and Thailand’s Assistant Minister of Labour on 15 December 2003

Attendant List from the Government of the People Republic of China

1. H.E. Mr. Li Xueju	Minister of Civil Affairs
2. Mr.Zhang Mingliang	Director-General, Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Civil Affairs
3. Mr.Zou Junyu	Director-General, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Civil Affairs
4. Mr.Bai Hua	Deputy Director-General, Old-Age Office, Ministry of Civil Affairs
5. Mr. Guo Yuqiang	Deputy Director-General, General Affairs Office, Ministry of Civil Affairs
6. Ms. Wang Yantao	Representative from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand

Attendant List from the Royal Thai Government

1. Mr. Peera Manathas	Assistant Minister of Labour
2. Mr. Akarapol Wanaputi	Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Labour
3. Mrs. Umporn Nitisiri	Deputy Director-General, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare
4. Mrs. Khajitra Chai-aya	Director, Labour Protection System Development Unit, Department of Labout Protection and Welfare
5. Mrs. Kanjana Thevasilachaikul	Director, Labour Welfare Division, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare
6. Mr. Kamjorn Nakchuen	Director, International Cooperation Coordination Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary
7. Ms. Ariya Limsuwat	Director, International Relations Unit, Office of the Permanent Secretary
8. Mrs. Chantana Boon-ard	Chief, International Relations Unit, Social Security Office
9. Mrs. Benjamas Jattanon	Technical Officer 7, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare
10. Mr. Chotiwat Thisan	Technical Officer 6, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare

Summary of Significant Dialogues

         As the Head of the Thai delegates, Mr. Peera Manathas opened the dialogue by welcoming the Minister of Civil Affair of the Republic of China and the Chinese Delegation for their visit to the Ministry of Labour.   Mr. Manathas further conveyed the Minister of Labour’s messages regarding his absence on account of earlier commitment to other business, and his sincere appreciation for the kind hospitality of the Chinese Government rendered to him during his last visit to China.
         Following the welcoming protocol, Mr. Manathas gave a briefing on the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and Thailand’s labour force profile. Currently, there are 5 Departments under MOL. The key mandate of the MOL is to protect the rights and benefits of workers in both formal and non-formal sectors. Presently, the number of Thailand’s economically active population is 35 millions. Out of this number, 8 millions are in formal sector, and 37 millions are in non-formal sector.
         Mr. Li Xueju, the Minister of Civil Affairs of the People Republic of China, then thanked the Thai authorities for their kind hospitality. Mr.Li Xueju further conveyed the appreciation of the Chinese Delegation for this experience sharing and cross learning opportunity in labour rights and welfare and labour protection with the Thai Government, which is considered a success country in economic and social development.
         Mr. Li Xueju then briefed the Thai delegates on China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs and labour force profiles. Comprised of 11 departments, the Ministry’s core mandate lies in the fields of social welfare provision, and assistance to under-priviledged citizen. According to the Ministry’s current policy, the under-priviledged citizen both in rural and urban areas are the priority target groups. Presently, China has more than 130 millions of old-age population, in addition to 60 millions of the handicaps, 100 millions of natural disaster victims, 29 millions of the rural poorest of the poor, and 54 thousands of orphans. As a result, the Ministry has to give greater attention and priority to social welfare aspect in order to provide needed assistances to these under-priviledged.   In addition to the Ministry’s efforts, the Chinese Government simultaneously strived to solve both economic and social problems as well.

Specific issues of discussion brought forward by the Chinese delegates were as follows:

1. Definition of Labour in Fomal and Non-formal Systems
As clarified by the Thai delegates, labours in formal system are those who work in a place of business, will receive protection in accordance with the labour laws and the minimum wage as stipulated by the laws. Labours in non-formal system are those who do not work in a place of business; e.g., farmers, workers in home-based private business, and workers engaging in independent occupations. These workers are not protected by the labour laws, although currently, the MOL is extending labour protection coverage to labours in non-formal system as well.

2. Labour and Social Welfare Responsible Authorities
The Thai delegates provided further detail on different Thai authorities responsible for labour and social welfare affairs. These include the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Ministry of Labour. While the former oversees the well-being of the old-age, women, child, and the handicaps, similar to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs; the latter looks after the economically active population of 15 years old and above only. This division of responsibility is similar to the Chinese system, which involves 2 ministries; i.e., Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Ministry of Social Security and Labour in providing assistances and protection to the underprivildged population.

3. Thailand’s Unemployment Rate
As disclosed by the Thai delegates, Thailand’s current unemployment rate in urban area is 2% of total economically active population.

4. Old-Age Population Receiving Pension and Social Welfare
                      The Thai delegates gave further detail on the 3 levels of welfare and assistances provided to the old age totalling approximately 6 millions persons in Thailand as follows:
                      Level/Group 1.   The helpless old-age population comprises of approximately 1.2 millions or approximatly 20% of the total population. The government primarily provides social welfare assistances, including a monthly allowance of Baht 300/person and medical and health services through periodic physician field visits.
                      Level/Group 2.   Partially self-help old age population comprises of approximately 4 millions or approximately 75% of the population.   Government’s assistances to this group focus on financial assistance for self-help occupational activities.
                      Level/Group 3.   The old-age population who can help themselves and others comprises of approximately 60,000 persons or approximately 1% of the population. The Government’s policy is to establish a village-based Old-Age Development Center in each village throughout the country.

5. Medical Expenses Responsible Authority
As further explained by the Thai delegates, Thailand has established a social security system to absorb medical expenses incurred by workers in formal system. The medical expenses of workers in non-formal system and the general public will be covered by the health insurance card system, which is part of the Baht 30 for All Illnesses Scheme, and is under the mandate of the Ministry of Public Health.

  6. Old-Age Nursing Home
                    Presently the Thai Government organizes 2 nursing home systems for the old-age. These include:
                     Non-Suvivor System.   The Government provides homes and full board to the old-age who has no suvivor at no cost.
                     Family Home Stay System.   Staying with the family or relatives as traditionally been practiced in extended family system has been promoted and supported by the Government as the best alternative for the old-age. In this case, the Government will provide needed welfare, and will draw on the old-age’s wisdom and knowledge for use in the community development efforts, as well.

7. Community Facilities for the Old-Age
The Thai Government provides various equipments and facilities for the old-age’s conveniences and well-being. These include a work-out equipments and machines, and a dining center. The purpose is to promote the old-age’s participation in different activities as ways to prevent loneliness. An integrated approach involving collaboration of various Ministries, including the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and different local organizations in carrying out community service activities, particularly, for the old-age is underway.
At the end of the meeting, the Chinese Delegation thanked the Thai delegates for the thorough explanation and clarification of various topics and issues of interest of the Chinese delegates. During the past years, high level leaders of Thailand had made frequent visits to China; particularly, Her Royal Highness Somdet Pra Thep who had made more than 10 official visits to China. Her Royal Highness has been merely serving as a blessing representative of friendship. The relations between Thailand and China has been greatly enhanced and progressing well. As a closure of the meeting, the Chinese Delegations accentuated again their deep gratitude for the wonderful hospitality generated to them throughout this visit


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