The Labour Minister expressed concern about the death of workers in the collapse of construction scaffolding at a Caltex gas station in Srisoonthorn, Thalang, Phuket. He instructed agencies to investigate and support the families of the deceased according to its missions.
On November 22, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul spoke about the case of the Caltex petrol station construction scaffolding that collapsed over workers who were injured and died in Phuket on November 21. The Labour Minister expressed concern and instructed agencies to investigate and coordinate with relevant parties, as well as support relatives of the deceased and provide remedies following legal proceedings and benefits.
The Social Security Office’s Secretariat Mr. Tosapol Kritawongwiman reported that the Phuket Social Security Office had visited the area for investigations. The incident occurred at Moo 2, Srisoonthorn, Thalang, Phuket. The second floor of the building collapsed over 9 workers, causing 7 deaths and 2 injured worked, all of which were employed by contractors, including electricians, aluminum technicians, and construction workers. Blue Station Co. Ltd. was engaged in the construction. The Social Security Office found that all of the contractors’ employees were not insured, whereby the office will have to invite employers and contractors to provide more information to proceed per the Workmen’s Compensation Fund Act.
Mr. Tosapol further said that the 2 injured employees would be provided with assistance, including 1 Thai and 1 Burmese worker, imported under the MOU. The workers will be covered for actual medical expenses in the amount of 50,000 – 2,000,000 Baht and 70 percent of wages up to 1 year for taking time off work. If the workers become disabled, they will receive monthly compensation of 70 percent wages for a lifetime — the 7 deaths included 4 Thai and 3 Burmese workers, imported under the MOU. Two of the workers hold pink cards, and all 4 foreign workers are employees of Andaman Design and Construction Ltd.
The families of the deceased will receive a funeral fee of 100 times the minimum wage, 33,000 Baht paid to the funeral manager, and compensation in case of death to the family, amounting to 70 percent of salary for 10 years. In addition, 720,720 Baht will be paid for each worker who died, totaling 7 people, amounting to 5,045,040 Baht, calculated from the minimum wage base. This does not include medical expenses and leaves from the 2 injured workers who are hospitalized.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Information by Office of Social Security, Phuket Province/
22 November 2019
