Download What are the main environmental problems in the country?

What are the main environmental problems in the
country?
-The eastern seaboard project has created several environmental
problems since its inception twenty years ago.
-There are also pollution problems in several big cities like
Bangkok and Chaingmai.
- The climate change has contributed to several natural disasters in
Thailand such as drought, flash flood and rainstorm.
What causes these problems? Who is affected?
y
Deforestation for agriculture is one of the main reasons
for its decline, and the deforestation is also causing many
species to become endangered
y
Air pollution results from a variety of causes, not all of
which are within human control. In order for humans to
survive, clean air is essential especially regarding our
health. The air pollution in Thailand is caused by
transport (75% of vehicles on the road are motorcycles),
industry, power plants (relies on the use of fossil fuels),
and area sources that include agricultural waste, other
biomass waste, and forest fires.
ƒ
The problem with air pollution is that it can cause serious health
risks both short-term and long-term, such as bronchitis, pneumonia,
headaches, nausea, allergic reactions, and it can aggravate asthma
and emphysema. The long-term effects can include lung cancer,
heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, and it can even damage
the brain, nerves, liver, or kidney. It affect to all people in Thailand
and beyond.
WHAT ACTIONS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN?
DOES THE COUNTRY HAVE ANY GREEN JOBS
PROGRAMME?
ƒ
The Thai government has become aware of the
environmental crisis, the government initiate the
concept of Green Job/Green Growth/Green
Economy in which three main factors
ƒ
Human resource developing
analytical, creative
ƒ
Quality society developing
economy
philosophy,
and
strengthening
ƒ
New Social Contract establishing with social consensus
and social commitment
towards knowledgeable,
towards
social
sufficiency
foundation
ENVIRONMENT POLICY DISCUSSIONS WITH
THE
GOVERNMENT?
IS ENVIRONMENT POLICY A TRIPARTITE
ISSUE?
y
No, since the Thai government does not allow for the
trade unions involved in environment policy
discussions with the government.
y
Even though the environmental issue is effect all
workers and people in general, but Thai government
never recognized the benefit and existing of Thai
Labour Union. Therefore, the campaign and working
on the climate issue has never been brought to a
tripartite meeting.
HAVE UNIONS BEEN INVOLVED IN DISCUSSION
AND PREPARATION OF ILO’S DECENT WORK
COUNTRY PROGRAMMES (DWCPS)?
y
This seminar is totally new thing for us, what we
prepare is about how to get knowledge as much as
provided by ILO's Decent Work Country Programmes
(DWCPs)
Do trade unions have a policy on climate change,
environment protection and jobs? Has the union
taken any initiative (through workers education or
collective bargaining or through field action
programme) to promote environment protection?
Green jobs?
ƒClimate change is an issue which affects all workers
and one which trade unions have been strong in
engaging their membership – this includes the
increase in environmental audits and green workplace
representatives
ƒJust as trade unions in developed and developing nations
understand the strength of collective action, we also understand the
need for international solidarity with governments and partners in
civil society to combat this threat. We believe that the challenge of
climate change requires extraordinary steps to engage working
people and the young, as they are particularly aware of the threat it
poses.
SPECIAL UNIONS ACTIVITIES
-Several union groups support the reforestation
initiative.
-We organized coastal reforestation by planting mangrove
trees, for instance , of 1,000 trees at a time.
-EGAT-WU has just completed the 1 million trees
reforestation with full support from union
members and jointly with the community.
- Pollution awareness campaign is the on going process,
for example, the use of bio-mass substance for cleaning
up household , waterway and as fertilizer
-Promote good health for all by negotiating for the fitness
room for workers.(SEWU-CAT)
korb-khun-kha(Thank you)