Sri Lanka and Thailand to strengthen labour ties with landmark agreements

Sri Lanka and Thailand are set to significantly bolster bilateral labour cooperation following the scheduled signing of two historic legal agreements in Bangkok on 14 September 2026, opening legal employment avenues for an initial quota of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

Hon. Vijitha Herath, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, will officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation and a Memorandum of Agreement on the Employment of Sri Lankan Workers in Thailand on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government during his official visit to the Thai capital.

The agreements establish a transparent, structured framework designed to ensure orderly recruitment while protecting worker welfare, legal rights, employment contracts, visas, work permits, and repatriation procedures.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both nations will cooperate on labour policies, market intelligence, skills development, productivity enhancement, and stringent measures to curb illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Concurrently, the Memorandum of Agreement details the operational mechanics of employment, guaranteeing legally binding contracts, fair working conditions, and robust social protection for Sri Lankan nationals residing and working in Thailand.

The Sri Lankan Government views Thailand and the broader Southeast Asian region as a critical frontier for foreign employment diversification.

Officials highlighted that shared cultural and social characteristics will assist Sri Lankan professionals and skilled personnel in adapting swiftly to their new living and working environments, further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries.