AEC Advisor in Asian Economic Community of ASEAN Countries

Do Skilled Labor know about AEC benefits?

Do Skilled Labor know about AEC benefits? According to agreements between member countries of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), in 2015 at AEC will cause free flow of labor especially skilled labor or professionals among AEC members. To explain this, all AEC members have recognized and agreed in Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) for seven professional fields which consist of engineering services, nursing services, architectural services, surveying qualifications, medical practitioners, dental practitioners and accountancy services. These seven professional fields can work across AEC country members freely under MRA. However, skilled workers must register their profession, or obtain job certification, or pass specific job tests of the host nation. Many countries have begun to preparing their people to meet a good opportunity and to be able to race in AEC Market. In Thailand case, education system in Thailand has produced substantial number of graduators from 7 professional fields into labor market in every year. It can be expected that Thailand will not lack professionals or skilled labors in Thailand. However, it is not easy for Thai skilled labor to be success in AEC labor market. Based on the current research from University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), Thailand had yet to prepare for the new challenges that will be presented by the AEC. Many Thai labors are still in lack of understanding about AEC and they see AEC in the way that is not much benefit for them. In addition, many Thai professionals do not prefer to work abroad and do not want to compete with other country members in AEC. It can be seen from the research that only 50 per cent of dental practitioners in Thailand had a good understanding of the AEC but most of them saw no real benefit from AEC to their careers. Similarly with architecture, half of Thai architects are still in lack of a good understanding of AEC and recognize its benefits. However, they see it as a good opportunity to work abroad, especially in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. However, medical practitioners are different from dentists and architectures. It can be seen that 50 percent of medical practitioners did anticipate and hope to enjoy some benefits from...