ILO Initiative Bolsters Human Rights Due Diligence in Thailand’s Critical Auto and Electronics Sectors
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a significant training programme aimed at enhancing human rights due diligence (HRDD) within Thailand’s vital automotive and electronics industries. This initiative, operating under the ILO’s Advancing Responsible Supply Chains and Decent Work in Asia (RSC) project and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), commenced in June 2026 and is scheduled to run throughout the year. Over 50 companies, spanning the automotive, auto-parts, and electronics supply chains, are anticipated to participate, signalling a concerted effort to embed robust HRDD practices.
This programme moves beyond superficial awareness training, focusing instead on the development of practical, systemic approaches for identifying, preventing, and addressing human rights risks at the workplace. Its reach extends across various tiers of the supply chain, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), lower-tier suppliers, and enterprises integrated into Japanese multinational supply chains, thereby amplifying its potential impact across extensive regional networks.
The training convenes a diverse group of stakeholders, including company management, human resources professionals, trade union representatives, worker delegates, and government officials. The core objective is to foster stronger bilateral social dialogue and enhance workplace cooperation, grounded in international labour standards. This aligns with the increasing global demand for businesses to demonstrate rigorous HRDD, while simultaneously promoting improved industrial relations and responsible business conduct.
A key training session, held on 13–14 July 2026 in Chonburi, saw over 40 participants from the automotive and electronics sectors engage with representatives from Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and the Department of Skill Development (DSD). This collaboration focused on devising actionable strategies to strengthen communication and cooperation between employers and their workforces. Government officials underscored the critical role of workplace dialogue in bolstering Thailand’s long-term industrial competitiveness and ensuring sustainable economic development.
Crucially, this ILO initiative is expected to provide valuable practical insights for the development of Thailand’s proposed Draft Act on the Promotion of Responsible Business Conduct. This legislation, once enacted, will introduce the country’s first mandatory human rights due diligence requirements, marking a significant regulatory shift. Participating companies will be instrumental in this process, developing bespoke HRDD improvement plans and receiving ongoing mentorship to ensure their effective implementation.
The automotive and electronics industries are cornerstones of Thailand’s economy, employing approximately 1.45 million individuals and representing substantial export revenues. Their integral role in global supply chains and their centrality to Thailand’s strategic pivot towards higher-value manufacturing, including the production of electric and zero-emission vehicles, underscore the profound significance of this HRDD strengthening effort.
