Ad-hoc panel formed as GSP suspension looms

[webfact]

Ad-hoc panel formed as GSP suspension looms

By THE NATION

 

 

An ad-hoc committee to tackle the upcoming US suspension of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) to a variety of Thai products was formed at a special meeting called by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha today (October 29). The suspension will apply within the next six months.

 

Deputy PM Jurin Laksanawisit said the panel comprised representatives from Commerce Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Labour Ministry, adding that it would promptly inform the US on labour issues in Thailand.

 

However, Jurin said, the suspension would not impact on Thailand's attempt to explore new markets in the US.

 

Kobsak Pootrakool, Deputy Secretary General to the PM for Political Affairs, said that the meeting also touched on the slow progress of the Thailand-China high speed train project.

 

The meeting identified obstacles to the project which will be discussed between PM Prayut and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang at the next Asean Summit, to be held in Thailand from November 2 to 5.

 

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative announcement on October 25, US President Donald Trump is suspending $1.3 billion in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) based on its failure to adequately provide internationally-recognised worker rights.

 

The announcement said that despite six years of engagement, Thailand has yet to take steps to provide internationally recognised worker rights in a number of important areas identified in a 2015 petition from the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), such as providing protections for freedom of association and collective bargaining.

 

GSP eligibility will be revoked, effective six months from October 25, for approximately one-third of Thailand’s GSP trade, which totaled $4.4 billion in 2018.

 

The list of products to be excluded from GSP for Thailand is focused on products for which the United States is a relatively important market for Thailand, but where Thailand accounts for a relatively small share of US imports.

 

Additionally, due to longstanding worker rights issues in the seafood and shipping industries, GSP eligibility will be revoked for all seafood products from Thailand. The GSP market access eligibility review of Thailand will remain open.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30377854

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-30

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[Chang_paarp]

As the reason given for the suspension of GSP was the treatment of workers, there might be a simple way to fix this..
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1131344-academics-urge-govt-to-boost-labour-rights-protection-in-response-to-gsp-suspension/

Although that might affect Thailand's competitiveness in other ways.

[BuckBee]

Mmm high speed trains, just what thailand needs waste money on under chinese influence .

forget the fact 6 months the year they flooding and other 6 they in drought, issue to become worse due to chinas hydro dam use which will mess water flow and rain even more for thailand .

spending on a huge water management project be a complete waste of money but high speed trains just what needed, hope they can float and warranty not voided by flooding lol ...

 

as for gsp why waste time over that non issue, as of yesterday it stated only have a 0.01% effect and CP company only have shrimp soup that will be effect 555

 

Eat somtam and be jolly, baht is king, gold is queen and kingdom the desire of all ...

 

Wait a minute they weren't giving out fake news were they !

Edited October 29, 2019 by BuckBee

[PAV123]

What fake news??? Thailand is doing just fine... The BUBBLE wont burts... yet.

[legend49]

Ad hoc panel sums up nicely the performance of the new Junta.

[bluesofa]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Ad-hoc panel formed as GSP suspension looms

The only way to 'win' this is with a panel-beater.

(sorry!)

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The announcement said that despite six years of engagement, Thailand has yet to take steps to provide internationally recognised worker rights in a number of important areas identified in a 2015 petition from the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), such as providing protections for freedom of association and collective bargaining.

cha cha was in power that whole time and nothing was done for the average Thai or foreign worker.  What not a surprise.   So glaring it could be seen 12000 miles away.

 

Wonder what people on this panel get paid. 

Edited October 30, 2019 by yellowboat

[30la]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Jurin said, the suspension would not impact on Thailand's attempt to explore new markets in the US.

It has always been a mistake to focus on some large markets (customers), look for small customers who ultimately give you more and don't blackmail you!
Then what's the problem? A word from the general to the president, and everything is solved! ????????

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has yet to take steps to provide internationally recognised worker rights in a number of important areas identified in a 2015 petition from the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), such as providing protections for freedom of association and collective bargaining

The promise everything and do nothing regime has yet again shot itself in the foot... 

[bluesofa]

10 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The promise everything and do nothing regime has yet again shot itself in the foot... 

Ah, you mean things like the high-speed railway which will be 'up and running by 2021'.

Only a year or so until that bullsh!t is shot down.

[Snow Leopard]

The consequential action of a typical military lead government being so arrogant and not heeding the warning signs. 

[Bundooman]

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

The only way to 'win' this is with a panel-beater.

(sorry!)

I think you spelled panel-beater wrongly!........................................

the 'e' is in the wrong place.

there's no 'a'.

The 's' is missing.

There should be an 'i'

[NightSky]

1 hour ago, Bundooman said:

I think you spelled panel-beater wrongly!........................................

the 'e' is in the wrong place.

there's no 'a'.

The 's' is missing.

There should be an 'i'

It took me a good few minutes I must admit 

Edited October 30, 2019 by NightSky

[Mavideol]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Jurin said, the suspension would not impact on Thailand's attempt to explore new markets in the US.

 and as always total denial, they make bad news look like great news.... they are all from the same gang, (TAT, AOT, BOT, PM) nothing wrong in Thailand, tourists coming by millions every day, economy doing great, we worry to much

[Cadbury]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

An ad-hoc committee to tackle the upcoming US suspension of Generalised System of Preferences

A common old garden variety Thai committee is usually formed so an important decision can be avoided.

A special Thai ad-hoc committee chaired by PM Prayut will make it absolutely certain nothing will be decided and nothing will be done to solve the problem. 

These people who sit on Thai government committees are the ones who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a committee.

[Scot123]

4 hours ago, Bundooman said:

I think you spelled panel-beater wrongly!........................................

the 'e' is in the wrong place.

there's no 'a'.

The 's' is missing.

There should be an 'i'

Ah the Spelling/Grammar Police are out again. Get a life! It's conversation and quite often done on small devices. You obviously understood so shhhhh or people will start thinking you just passed your TEFL course or whatever. 

[Redline]

Humpty Dumty may take a great fall