EU, Thailand Must Address Migrant Worker Rights in Trade Talks

Why It Matters

Without enforceable labor safeguards, EU firms face legal and reputational risks, and Thailand could lose market access under upcoming forced‑labour regulations, undermining the economic upside of the trade pact.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand hosts millions of migrant workers, many undocumented
• No union rights; Thailand hasn't ratified core ILO conventions
• EU trade deals lack enforceable, time‑bound labor commitments
• Forced‑labour rules may block Thai exports after 2027
• Binding protocol could protect workers and secure EU investments

Pulse Analysis

The EU’s push to diversify its trade portfolio toward Southeast Asia coincides with a growing reliance on migrant labor in Thailand’s key sectors such as fisheries and construction. Over one million Myanmar nationals alone work without documentation, exposing them to exploitation, detention, and deportation. Thailand’s Labor Relations Act prohibits unionisation for all migrant workers, and the country has yet to ratify the 1948 and 1949 ILO conventions that guarantee freedom of association and collective bargaining. These gaps create a fragile labor market that could destabilise supply chains for European investors.

EU trade agreements traditionally embed a “trade and sustainable development” chapter, pledging parties to “make continued and sustained efforts” toward ratifying core ILO conventions. In practice, the language is non‑specific and lacks deadlines, allowing partners like Vietnam to postpone commitments indefinitely. The EU’s experience with Vietnam—where promised ratifications remain unmet—highlights the weakness of soft‑law provisions. As Thailand negotiates its free‑trade agreement, the same loophole could render labor clauses ineffective, leaving migrant workers without meaningful protection.

A more robust approach would require a binding protocol that sets clear, time‑bound milestones for labor‑law reforms and ILO ratification, coupled with enforceable penalties for non‑compliance. Such a framework would not only safeguard millions of vulnerable workers but also align with the EU’s forced‑labour regulation slated for December 2027, which bans products made with forced labour from entering the European market. For EU companies, this reduces reputational risk and ensures a stable, ethical supply chain, while Thailand gains a competitive edge by demonstrating compliance with high‑standard labor practices.