The signing ceremony took place at Dara Hotel yesterday (May 29), marking a significant step towards sustainable development in the province, said a release by the UNDP.
Signatories to the MoU comprise the Phuket Provincial Office, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection under the Ministry of Justice and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank).
The MOU aims to foster responsible business conduct and uphold human rights among SMEs, which are the key driver of Phuket’s vibrant business landscape, the UNDP noted.
“With a workforce of approximately 300,000, Phuket’s economy thrives significantly due to its robust business sectors. SMEs play a pivotal role in this dynamic environment, with over 46,000 enterprises contributing to the province’s economic diversity and growth,” the UNDP said in its report.
Rataya Kobsirikarn, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, noted that “the objective of the MoU is to underscore a shared commitment to fostering and supporting SME entrepreneurs by creating a network of exemplary business organisations that operate responsibly and uphold human rights.
“This partnership is expected to significantly contribute to Phuket’s post-COVID recovery, stimulating the local economy while prioritizing the well-being and rights of workers, communities, and all stakeholders.”
Representing the Phuket Provincial Office, Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong added, “Phuket has faced many challenges recently, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted the province’s sustainable development.
“Profit-driven business operations often come at the cost of poor working conditions and negative environmental impacts. Vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers and those in the informal sector, are at greater risk of being left behind,” he said.
“Ensuring that businesses operate responsibly, and respect human rights is crucial for sustainable development that benefits both people and the planet.”
Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand, maintained focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) profiles that UNDP conducted to assess Phuket’s progress across various dimensions are commendable, showcasing excellence in public healthcare (SDG 3), sustainable tourism and MICE (SDG 8), and infrastructure development (SDG 9). However, challenges remain in managing informal labor (SDG 8), high unemployment rates, and inadequate waste management (SDG 11), particularly within the tourism sector.
“This collaboration under the MOU will establish a robust framework prioritizing both business success and human rights protection, leading to sustainable development that leaves no one behind,” Mr Meyer said.
Duangdao Kiatpisarnsakul, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection (RLPD), remarked, “The MoU is pivotal in driving the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights at a sub-national level.
“The RLPD has been proactively working with various stakeholders to promote knowledge and understanding on business and human rights in Thailand. Phuket is one of potential provinces with high capacity to drive forward for this agenda due to the number of business enterprises and the readiness of government, private and civil society agencies.
“The cooperation under this MOU is therefore important for promoting this agenda at sub-national level and we aim to expand successful results under this cooperation to other locations,” Ms Duangdao noted.
Pichit Mitrawong, Deputy Managing Director, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank), highlighted his agency’s role in supporting the initiative.
“At SME D Bank, we are dedicated to enhancing sustainable practices among our SME clients. This MoU represents a significant step in providing SMEs with the support they need to integrate responsible business practices, ensuring their long-term success and positive impact on the community,” he said.
Following the MoU signing ceremony, the first activity under this collaborative framework will be a two-day human rights due diligence (HRDD) training session specifically designed for SMEs in Phuket.
The training, underway today and tomorrow (May 30-31), aims to help SMEs manage and mitigate human rights risks in their business operations using the HRDD process.
The activity was explained as the first step in enhancing knowledge and understanding of human rights for SME entrepreneurs, and is expected to lead to the creation of a strong network of SMEs and serve as a model for socially and environmentally responsible business operations to showcase with other provinces in the future, the UNDP noted.