Thailand and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral labour cooperation, with Thai authorities saying they are open to considering Bangladesh’s proposals regarding systematic recruitment of Bangladeshi workers and broader workforce collaboration.

The discussion came as Thailand’s Labour Minister Chulapun Amornvivat held a meeting with Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Faiyaz Murshid Kazi on Monday at the Ministry of Labour in Bangkok.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on expanding labour cooperation and creating more structured employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Thailand.

The Bangladeshi envoy proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a formal labour cooperation agreement to facilitate recruitment of Bangladeshi workers under an organized framework. Bangladesh also expressed interest in inviting the Thai labour minister to visit Bangladesh to observe the country’s worker recruitment process.

Minister Chulapun congratulated Bangladesh on the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, noting that Thailand and Bangladesh have maintained strong diplomatic ties for more than five decades.

He said Thailand is currently focused on managing its domestic labour market situation before moving toward expanding cooperation in accepting additional foreign workers, including from Bangladesh.

However, he said the Thai Ministry of Labour welcomes Bangladesh’s proposals and will review them before providing further updates.

The Thai minister also stressed that all foreign workers in Thailand, including Bangladeshi nationals, receive equal protection under Thai labour laws, covering employment conditions, wages and social security benefits to ensure fair treatment.

During the meeting, Ambassador Faiyaz Murshid Kazi conveyed condolences on behalf of Bangladesh over the passing of Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavadi.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Chulapun extended best wishes to the Bangladeshi ambassador ahead of his new diplomatic assignment in the Netherlands, expressing hope that bilateral cooperation between the two nations would continue to grow in the future.