ECOT Participates in ASEAN Regional Forum on the Linkages between Trade, Labour and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work towards Sustainable Competitiveness

On 9–10 September 2026, the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT), represented by Mr. Ukrit Kanjanaket, participated in the “ASEAN Regional Seminar on Trade, Labour and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)”, held in a hybrid format in Bali, Republic of Indonesia.

The seminar served as a regional platform for exchanging views on the linkages between trade, labour, and the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), as well as the role of these issues in strengthening sustainable competitiveness among ASEAN countries.

Key topics covered during the seminar included challenges related to labour practices in export-oriented sectors, as well as the presentation of regional research findings on the impacts of incorporating labour provisions into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

The seminar also provided an opportunity to exchange views on ASEAN initiatives and regional cooperation aimed at supporting the effective implementation of labour provisions under FTAs and promoting approaches that appropriately connect economic development, trade, and labour standards.

ECOT’s participation in the forum reflects its ongoing efforts to monitor developments in international trade and labour issues, as well as its engagement in regional dialogue to help prepare employers for emerging labour trends and requirements that are increasingly linked to international trade.