BSI 2nd Issue
Newsletter
Welcome to the second issue of the BSI Newsletter, where we highlight recent developments and initiatives to improve the well-being of construction workers and their families living in construction site camps. Together with our community of BSI members, we promote social sustainability in the property and construction (PropCon) sector and drive positive action in the interest of people, businesses, and society. Discover our recent milestones, newest initiatives, member highlights, and upcoming events.
Initiative & milestones
1. Launch of Health Innovation in the Construction Sector (HICS) Project
The HICS project, funded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation under the BSI Initiative, aims to develop a model for sustainable access to the public health system for workers and their children. This model, based on evidence of access to health, will be co-developed in collaboration with public stakeholders and companies from the PropCon sector.
10 Companies Commit to Healthier Construction Camps
A Joint Strategic Management Committee (JSMC) on Healthy Construction Camps has been established, and 10 companies officially joined the project initiative to collaborate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Area (BMA), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and the BSI team. This marks a promising step forward in creating healthier and safer living conditions for workers and their families in construction camps.
3. SDG Localization: Community Steps Towards Sustainability Award
In September, the BSI team met with the International Health Policy Foundation (IHPF) under the Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with SDGs Move Thailand, which promotes community-level sustainability goals linked to national policies. After reviewing the BSI Initiative, IHPF and SDGs Move Thailand recognized the BSI Framework as a valuable tool for advancing specific SDG targets, indicating its potential as a positive standard in approval processes. This recognition represents progress toward institutionalizing the BSI Framework.
Recognized under three SDGs: 3, 4, and 11 (main focus on 11),
we won the award on SDG Localization.
4. Learning Report meeting
In October, an external senior consultant conducted a learning review of the BSI Initiative to gather feedback from its members and other stakeholders, providing ideas on how we can collectively further develop the BSI Initiative. During the report launch event, the external consultant presented the findings and actionable recommendations to an audience of 33 participants, including representatives from 11 construction companies and government officials. This event was also a great opportunity for the BSI members to discuss the future direction and sustainability of the BSI Initiative.
The BSI team will follow up on the outcomes of the discussion, including the formation of an informal steering committee to guide the evolution and further development of the BSI Initiative. Senior staff from Frasers and AssetWise have already committed to joining this informal group, ensuring leadership and direction as the initiative evolves.
2. Leveraging Government Partnerships for BSI Member Recognition and Impact
High-level meetings were held with the Department of Health Promotion (Ministry of Health) and the Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD) under the Ministry of Justice, to present the BSI Initiative. Both departments recognized the alignment and contribution of the BSI Initiative to, respectively, a more inclusive Health Access and the National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights.
These positive developments create opportunities for future official recognition of BSI members who implement the BSI Framework in their workers’ camps.
THE BSI INITIATIVE COMMUNITY IS GROWING
We are delighted to announce that NL Development Public Company Limited, Kao Mongkol Group Co. Ltd, Power Line Engineering PCL, and NTech Engineering Company recently joined the BSI Initiative. This marks the first step in their journey to build stronger social sustainability, enhancing the welfare of construction workers and their children within their respective supply chains.
Upcoming Opportunities: Join Us!
January
Thai Children’s Day Conference: Join discussions with SET, UNICEF, and the private sector to focus on the well-being of children living in construction site camps.
HICS Project Kick-Off Meeting and Press Conference: Engage with private companies, media, CSOs, government agencies, and academics to explore collaborative solutions.
Roundtable on Education Policy for Migrant Children in Thailand: Participate alongside the Ministry of Education, BMA, and construction companies to discuss improvements in educational access and quality.
March
Strategic Partnership Meeting for Construction Companies: Aiming to strengthen collaborations and innovative approaches within the construction sector with BSI Practitioners.
April
HICS Project Training Launch: Explore Health Service Design Thinking for enhancing innovation in health services across the government and construction sectors.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A Transformative Year
As we step into 2025, the BSI Initiative is set to reach new heights. This year, we’re focused on embedding and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals within the construction sector. Key milestones include expanding partnerships with the International Health Policy Foundation, the National Innovation Agency, and leading private-sector entities, as well as improving the Self-Assessment Tool to drive measurable change across the industry.
Thank you!
Lastly, we would like to thank all 24 BSI members and the other companies expressing interest in joining the Initiative. The growth of the BSI community signifies our collective dedication to fostering strong social sustainability, ultimately benefiting workers, children, businesses, and society as a whole.
Building better lives, together.
