Thai workers have been advised to take foreign language classes before the integration of ASEAN countries next year since the Thai Ministry of Labour fears the country will lose a competitive advantage to the Philippines where people can speak English fluently.
Permanent Secretary for Labour Nakorn Silpa-Archa said Thailand has been nominated at a recent conference on skilled labour development in Indonesia to set the standards of labour for Myanmar , Laos and Cambodia .
He reiterated the importance of a second language and cultural awareness as they will enable Thai workers to work well with their foreign colleagues. He added that the employment of Filipino nationals could mean fewer managerial-level jobs for Thais due to their superior English skills.
The Department of Skill Development has been instructed to determine a time frame to achieve language fluency for skilled workers while the Office of Vocational Education Commission will also be asked to prepare vocational school students for the arrival of the AEC.-VNA
Permanent Secretary for Labour Nakorn Silpa-Archa said Thailand has been nominated at a recent conference on skilled labour development in Indonesia to set the standards of labour for Myanmar , Laos and Cambodia .
He reiterated the importance of a second language and cultural awareness as they will enable Thai workers to work well with their foreign colleagues. He added that the employment of Filipino nationals could mean fewer managerial-level jobs for Thais due to their superior English skills.
The Department of Skill Development has been instructed to determine a time frame to achieve language fluency for skilled workers while the Office of Vocational Education Commission will also be asked to prepare vocational school students for the arrival of the AEC.-VNA
