Julapun pushes New Zealand FTA for Thai workers

Thansettakij•Economy•4d ago

Reader Briefing

Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat plans to integrate labor negotiations into the FTA update with New Zealand to increase opportunities for Thai workers.

•Julapun Amornvivat visited Auckland, New Zealand on August 22, 2026.
•The Ministry of Labour intends to negotiate the expansion of quotas and welfare for Thai workers alongside the FTA update.
•The government proposes reducing English language requirements from academic levels to basic communication for certain occupations.

Overview

•On August 22, 2026, Julapun Amornvivat attended a community event for Thais in Auckland, New Zealand.
•Julapun Amornvivat stated that the government aims to build internal strength and regional cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand to handle external uncertainties like the US government.
•Approximately 7,800 Thai workers enter New Zealand annually, primarily as seasonal workers in the agricultural sector.
•The Ministry of Labour plans to include labor issues in the negotiations for updating the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand.
•Julapun Amornvivat proposes reducing English language skill requirements for roles such as agricultural workers, chefs, and massage therapists.
•The reduction of language requirements to basic communication is intended to create more job access and flexibility in employment for Thai people.
•Julapun Amornvivat emphasized the need to oversee the welfare and benefits of Thai citizens residing in New Zealand.

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Key Quotes

Julapun Amornvivat

"We will bring the labor issue to negotiate together with the update of the old FTA, incorporating labor matters."

เราจะเอาเรื่องแรงงานไปเจรจารวมกับการอัปเดตตัว FTA เก่า แต่ว่าจะเอาเรื่องแรงงานผนวกเข้าไปด้วย

Julapun Amornvivat

"If language is not heavily required, can we lower the level from an academic level to just basic communication?"

ถ้าไม่ได้ require เรื่องภาษามากก็จะลดระดับลงจากระดับที่เป็น academic level ให้มันลดลงอยู่ในระดับที่เป็นแค่ basic communication ได้ไหม

Key Entities

Person

Julapun Amornvivat(จุลพันธ์ อมรวิวัฒน์)ℹ️

Minister of Labour who is pushing for labor negotiations within the New Zealand FTA.

Organization

Ministry of Labour(กระทรวงแรงงาน)ℹ️

The ministry preparing to negotiate labor issues and protections alongside the FTA update.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

A regional cooperation body mentioned by Julapun Amornvivat.

Place

New Zealand(นิวซีแลนด์)ℹ️

A main trading partner of Thailand where Thai workers are employed in agriculture.

Auckland(นครโอ๊คแลนด์)ℹ️

The city in New Zealand where Julapun Amornvivat met with the Thai community.

Australia(ออสเตรเลีย)ℹ️

A main trading partner of Thailand.

United States of America(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

A country whose government uncertainty is cited as an uncontrollable external factor.

Policy

Free Trade Agreement (FTA)(ข้อตกลงการค้าเสรี)

The trade agreement between Thailand and New Zealand that the government seeks to update.