The Deputy Government Spokesperson revealed that Thai workers are highly sought after, with Italy planning to accept up to 30,000 workers per year. The government is speeding up an MOU to open pathways to the European job market.
On 21 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Captain Phattharasarim Thongsaluaykrorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the government prioritizes creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for Thai workers by expanding overseas labor markets. Recently, Minister of Labor Chulaphan Amornwiwat held bilateral talks with H.E. Marina Elvira Calderone, Italy's Minister of Labor and Social Policies, during the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Swiss Confederation, to advance concrete labor cooperation between the two nations.
The Deputy Spokesperson noted this discussion marks a significant development for Thai workers’ employment opportunities in the European market. The Italian government has included Thailand in the draft labor law known as the Flows Decree, a key mechanism for legally admitting foreign workers. This facilitates the employment of Thai workers in agriculture, industry, and service sectors, both seasonal and general labor.
Earlier discussions between Thailand’s Ministry of Labor and the Italian Ambassador to Thailand revealed Italy's interest in recruiting 20,000 to 30,000 Thai workers annually in sectors facing labor shortages, including agriculture, healthcare, and services. This aligns with the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 policy, which sets a quota of over 500,000 foreign workers outside the EU. This presents a major opportunity for Thai workers to access quality European job markets in the future.
The Minister of Labor requested support from Italy’s Ministry of Labor and Social Policies to expedite the signing of a labor MOU between the two countries. This agreement will be a crucial mechanism to send Thai workers abroad legally, reduce the risk of exploitation by illegal brokers, and enhance the protection of labor rights, welfare, and working conditions to meet international standards.
During the talks, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in four key areas: developing vocational education and joint training centers, exchanging knowledge on old-age pension systems, protecting labor rights and family welfare, and increasing opportunities to send Thai workers into the European labor market.
Additionally, Thailand expressed interest in studying Italy’s technical education model and dual-track education system, which links education with business and industry. This aims to enhance Thai workers’ skills to meet modern labor market demands. They also exchanged approaches on improving workplace safety and occupational health, along with the concept of the “Right to Disconnect” to protect employees from being forced to work beyond scheduled hours.
If the MOU is completed as planned, Italy will become an important European labor market for Thai workers amid growing demand for foreign labor, especially in agriculture, health, and service sectors facing shortages in many areas. This cooperation not only opens new job opportunities for Thai workers but also reflects Thailand’s role as a trusted source of quality labor recognized by international partners.