8.2 Recommendations
As synthesised above, the analysis undertaken in this report confirms the importance of
promoting decent work for older persons in Thailand. This report also demonstrates that
many issues regarding the promotion of decent work for older persons are relevant to
other age groups. In this regard, attention can be directed to a number of policy
implications, as follows:
Promotion of employment opportunities: Presenting a choice
In a rapidly ageing society like Thailand, the promotion of employment opportunities for
older persons is timely and indispensable for enhancing the country’s productivity and
socio-economic development, as well as the sustainability of social security schemes.
Flexible retirement is an option to be explored, particularly in the public sector. Raising
awareness on the potential of older workers in the private sector is also essential, with the
collaboration of employers’ organisations and workers’ unions. Government provision of
incentives, such as subsidies for measures in favour of retaining and reemploying older
persons, may be useful. Meanwhile, the promotion of employment opportunities needs
to be pursued as an option, and not an obligation, for older persons, taking into account
their skills and needs.
Areas of employment promotion: Expanding choices
The employment promotion for older persons may target the sectors that meet their
skills and respond to their needs. While agriculture is likely to remain a major
employment opportunity for older persons, greater choice would be preferable. Potential sectors include commerce, manufacturing, transport, storage and communications.
Specifically in rural areas, off- and non-farm work, such as community-based cottage
industry, could be an alternative or supplementary source of livelihood for older persons.
In urban areas, the service industry appears to be a choice for continued or new
employment.
Income generating potential: Mitigating vulnerability
As work constitutes an important source of livelihood for older persons, raising their
income generating potential is essential, particularly for those who are socio-economically
vulnerable. This includes measures to mitigate the large gap in income between older
persons and younger age groups.
Employability: Responding to the changing needs of the labour market
Creation of employment opportunities for older persons and upgrading of their income
generating potential need to be promoted in tandem with skill enhancement among older
persons who want to work, in such a way as to respond to the changing needs of the
labour market. For this purpose, expansion of currently limited lifelong learning
opportunities would be useful for both the present and future older persons.
Social security schemes: Reinforcing security
The need to enhance social security schemes seems to have resonated in the public and
private sectors. An issue to be emphasised further is the accessibility of social security
schemes to a larger number of older persons, such as those in the informal sector.
Attention needs to be drawn both to the financial viability of the system in view of the
national budget and the affordability of contribution from recipients particularly those
with limited income. An option that has been discussed and may be pursued is enhancing
community-based social security schemes that may supplement the public and private
social security system.
Information: Understanding the situations of older persons and devising
effective policies
Compared to a number of other countries in the region, there is a variety of statistical
data on older persons in Thailand. Nevertheless, it is still insufficient, particularly as a
basis for policy formulation and assessment. On some topics, new data collection is not
needed. The existing data may to be age and gender disaggregated, and broken down into
administrative areas and regions.
Tripartite partnership and beyond: Enhancing collaboration
The newness of the issue of decent work for older persons in Thailand offers
opportunity to engage government agencies at the national and local levels, employers’
organisations and workers’ unions, CSOs, research institutions and community groups
from the early stages of policy formulation. This would allow their various interests to be
reflected in the relevant policies and potential activities to supplement each other. In this
undertaking, Thailand can learn from other countries in the region that have experienced
the population ageing and devised measures to deal with the challenges to the labour
market. Understating society-wide and inter-generational issues: Preparing for the
future
Promoting decent work for older persons thus needs to be addressed as a society-wide
and inter-generational issue. Raising the minimum wage for the working age population
can contribute to greater savings into older age. Enhancing skills of the younger age
groups can provide a basis for them to upgrade their skills when becoming older. The
participation of the working age population in social security schemes not only enhances
their security as they age but it also contributes to the sustainability of the country’s social
security system.