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Child Protection and the Labour Protection Act of 1998 |
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1. The Ministry of Labour has issued orders to its representatives in every province to closely monitor any abuse of child labour. It has set up local teams and check-points in Bangkok and all provinces. The following regulations are strictly enforced: (a) If employees under 15 years of age are found, officers must immediately report the case to investigation officers. (b) If employers hold child workers against their will or torture them, those employers will be prosecuted in both criminal suits under the laws governing the Ministry of Labour and any related measures under the 1998 Labour Protection Act. (c) If employers do not follow the 1998 Labour Protection Act with regard to child workers, labour inspection officers can order them to make necessary improvements. If the violation continues, these employers may be prosecuted. 2. Both Thai and foreign child workers are entitled to equal protection under the Labour Protection law. 3. Under the Labour Protection Act of 1998, the minimum age for hiring children as workers increases from 13 to 15 years. The Act also forbids employers, directors, managers or inspectors from sexually harassing employees, especially child workers. Child workers are not allowed to work in places where their safety and health are at risk. For example, jobs that might expose child workers to toxic substances, or explosive or flammable materials, except for jobs at gas stations, are not permitted. 4. The Ministry of Labour also expands the legal protection to cover women and children whose jobs may be outside the regular system. For example, female or child employees who take their work home are covered by the new Ministry Ordinance with regard to Employees Working from Home. The Ordinance has been in effect since 8 September 2004. A similar piece of legislation was the Ministry Ordinance Protecting Workforce in Agriculture, which became effective on 13 April 2005. Both pieces of legislation award equal protection regarding safety in workplace and employee benefits granted by laws to female and child employees, who work from home or in the agricultural sector. 5. The table below gives an overview of the latest child labour survey conducted by the Ministry of Labour.
Source: The Department of International Organization Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
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