The Deputy Prime Minister visited the Ministry of Labour and delivered policies to the executives on Labour Day, to drive measures to help and heal the affected workers from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with words of encouragement for practitioners in jointly driving measures together.
On May 1, 2020, at 10.00 hours, that is Labour Day, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and committee visitied the Ministry of Labour to deliver policies to the executives on driving measures to help and heal affected workers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, the Ministry of Labour’s executives and relevant representatives also joined the meeting, which took place at the Prof. Nikom Chandravithu conference room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour.
General Prawit said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has mobilized its forces to look after, help and heal the people, whereby the workforce is another group that has been affected. He thanked the Ministry of Labour for jointly establishing measures in providing assistance and relief for affected workers, including informal and foreign workers, as well as emphasizing additional work on various issues such as (1) Medical treatment for patients infected with COVID-19, to support medical services for insured persons suffering from the virus, to ensure quick access to medical services. (2) Measures to help and relieve the unemployed. He urged the Ministry of Labour to expedite the full payment of unemployment benefits to insured persons, as well as to provide assistance in terms of vocational training to upgrade skills and find work as quickly as possible. (3) Surveillance and prevention of the pandemic spread among foreign workers. He asked the Ministry of Labour to proceed comprehensively and requested to delay the import of foreign workers at every step until the situation returns to normal, by coordinating with relevant departments, including the Ministry of Labour, the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Interior. In addition, there must be a support plan after the situation has eased. (4) For workers in the fishery sector, to expedite the problem of labour shortages, including to ensure that there is no violation of rights. He asked for relevant agencies to work together closely and follow current affairs through various channels, especially from civil society organizations. (5) Regarding the draft of the Social Security Bank and the Informal Labour Act, to proceed with caution, listening to the feedback from all stakeholder groups and taking into account the benefits to the public as well. In addition, he asked for employment promotion measures, skills and career development initiatives in ways that are suitable for both formal and informal labour groups. In addition, to promote work from home jobs in order to workers to have sufficient income to live, and alleviate debt burdens and the cost of living for the people.
General Prawit further gave words of encouragement to join together to drive various measures. He wished the workforce and the Ministry of Labour’s personnel to be safe from the COVID – 19 virus, to develop the country following the governments policy of “we will leave no one behind”, General Prawit concluded.
Division of Public Relations
1 May 2020
