The Labour Minister established an operation center to support the unemployment situation, from the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. The center was established at the Saengsingkaew conference room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour, with authority to coordinate and follow up on domestic and international labour situation, creating unity and public confidence.
On March 9, 2020, Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul presided over a press conference to establish an operation center to support the unemployment situation from the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, of the Ministry of Labour. The conference took place at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Lak Si District, Bangkok. The said center was established at Saengsingkaew conference room. War room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour Following the Prime Minister’s orders, the center has the duty and power to collect and coordinate information from agencies under the Ministry of Labour in the central region, regional offices, and 13 Thai Labour Offices abroad, including other concerned government and private agencies. From a survey of affected establishments such as airline operators, tourism services, hotels, and accommodations, for example, measures have been set to help businesses, employers, and employees. The measure support affected parties in finding vacancies, developing skills, providing benefits and protection according to labour law. It also coordinates relevant information of the Ministry of Labour with government agencies, the government, the Prime Minister’s Operations Center (PMOC), and the spokespersons’ office, for example.
M.R. Chatumongol also discussed the Ministry of Labour’s preventive measures and remedies to reduce the impact of the Coronavirus Infection 2019 (COVID – 19). As for the guidelines for preventing the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment and the Department of Skill Development, have had courses on how to make masks and hand washing gel for workers and the general public. All agencies under the Ministry of Labour had participated in raising awareness among workers and the general public to know how to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus both inside and outside the country. The Social Security Office has notified insurers in the social security system that they are able to receive health examinations at hospitals according to their rights, free of charge. The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has worked with companies/employers to survey employees. If workers are found to be ill, they must coordinate for immediate treatment. The checkpoint for job seekers by the Department of Employment at Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport has cooperated with the Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Public Health to screen for Thai workers returning from abroad.
As for measures to reduce the impact in the next phase, the Ministry of Labour has provided 81,562 job vacancies and hired new graduates to become project coordinators of the Ministry of Labour at the local level. The Ministry has launched vocational training and urgent employment programs, with the target to cover a total of 16,790 people in 2020, with a budget of 30.89 million Baht, amounting to 863 courses to encourage employees to develop skills in the workplace by providing tax incentives, loans, and grants from the fund.
“Ministry of Labour promises that we will look after all Thai workers, for those who want to find work, I will find a job for you to do. For those who want to be skilled, I will provide you with training. For benefits that are rightfully yours, all workers must be protected by law,” concluded the Labour Minister.
Division of Public Relations
9 March 2020
