The Labour Minister commenced the “Social Security throughout Thailand” under the Universal Social Security Project for independent workers. He then chaired the signing ceremony for cooperation with network partners on participation to “build awareness to improve the quality of life of workers,” strengthening security to improve the quality of life for independent workers.
On December 19, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul chaired the “Social Security throughout Thailand” event under the Universal Social Security Project for independent workers. He also chaired the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation to “build awareness to improve the quality of life of workers.” The events took place at the Grand Diamond Ballroom, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, along with the ministry’s executives, also participated in the event. The Labour Minister said that the Ministry of Labour is aware that the development of the potential and quality of life for the people is an essential mission in national development. It follows government policies that encourage people to access more comprehensive social security, especially self-employed workers who are a large portion of the nation’s workforce. Applying for social security at the Social Security Office can guarantee safety in life and improve the quality of life. It also supports the government’s policy of reducing social inequality, integrating and supporting the promotion of access to social protection for independent workers under the guideline for the development of cooperative operations of the agencies affiliated with the “Bowon” network (houses, temples, schools, and factories). The cooperation is between the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Social Security Office, Department of Provincial Administration, Office of the Basic Education Commission, and the National Office of Buddhism.
M.R. Chatumongol further said that from the survey in 2019, there were 21.2 million independent workers nationwide. However, only 15 percent have access to Section 40 of the social security system. Essential guidelines to drive more independent workers towards social security coverage is the integration of cooperation with government agencies, private sectors, civil society organizations, and the people sector. The participation of different sectors plays an essential role in driving independent workers to have comprehensive social protection. The “Social Security in Thailand” event today aims to push policies to expand the coverage of voluntary social security within the independent worker’s sector. It seeks to facilitate access to benefits from the Social Security Office and create knowledge and understanding about public welfare in social security, as well as motivate independent workers to access social security. Furthermore, it is also the development of a participatory network for driving people to have social protection to improve the quality of life.
Today’s event drives the government’s and Ministry of Labour’s policy, which emphasizes the importance of creating social security that is comprehensive and suitable for people of all gender and age to ensure a stable life and improving the quality of life. By defining the national strategy, it allows the creation of opportunities for social equality. This is also important in campaigns to create awareness and strengthen proactive understanding for workers in all professional groups, especially those who are self-employed. It promotes access to social protection by applying to Section 40 of the social security system. There is protection for workers when experiencing danger or illness, disability, death, and child allowance and old age pension as funding for living in old age. The “Social Security in Thailand” under the Universal Social Security Project for independent workers, targeted participants including taxi drivers, mercenaries, farmers and self-employed people in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces including Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Prakan, totaling 1,500 people.
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Division of Public Relations/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
Information by Social Security Office/
19 December 2019
