Sri Lanka, Thailand sign two labour pacts

Sri Lanka and Thailand have strengthened bilateral cooperation in the labour sector by signing two agreements aimed at promoting safe and regulated employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in Thailand.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation and the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the Employment of Sri Lankan Workers in Thailand were signed on 14 September 2026 in Bangkok by Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and Thailand's Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat.

The agreements, concluded after extensive negotiations between the two governments, establish a structured and transparent framework for the recruitment and employment of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand while ensuring the protection of their rights, welfare and working conditions.

Under the new framework, the Thai Cabinet has approved the recruitment of an initial 10,000 Sri Lankan workers to help address labour shortages in Thailand.

The MoU provides for cooperation in areas including labour policy, labour market information, skills development, labour productivity, worker protection and measures to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Meanwhile, the MoA sets out practical arrangements for the recruitment and employment of Sri Lankan workers, covering transparent recruitment procedures, employment contracts, legal protection, welfare, visa and work permit processes, as well as return and repatriation arrangements.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Herath welcomed the opportunity provided by the Royal Thai Government for Sri Lankans to seek employment in Thailand and stressed the importance of safeguarding workers' rights, welfare and social security.

He also proposed the establishment of a Joint Working Group to oversee and review the implementation of the agreements.

In addition, Herath requested Thailand to consider expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals, particularly young people, in the information technology and tourism sectors, creating new avenues for skilled employment while contributing to the development of Sri Lanka's workforce.