Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat has declared his support for a campaign to improve rights protection and welfare standards for workers in Thailand’s creative industries.
The ministry is ready to step in and help address long-standing problems including unfair employment contracts, unpaid wages and excessive working hours, he said on Wednesday after a meeting with three creative industry associations.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Thai On-Screen Actors Association, the Thai Film Directors Association and the Thai Studio Industry Promotion Association, who discussed cooperation with the ministry to improve the quality of life for workers in the creative sector.
Mr Julapun said many people tend to associate the entertainment industry with leading actors and celebrities, overlooking the large number of behind-the-scenes workers.
“These include extras, production crews, photographers and lighting technicians,” he said.
“I agree that these workers must receive proper protection, decent working conditions and access to basic welfare.”
He said a new working group would spearhead a broader effort between the government and industry representatives to develop a fairer employment system for creative workers.
Regarding working hours, Mr Julapun said more discussions were needed to determine appropriate standards that balance labour protection with the nature of production work in the entertainment industry.
The meeting also discussed raising professional standards and issuing certificates for the creative industry. Details are still being reviewed.
