The Labour Minister expressed concern for flood victims from the ‘Podul’ storm and urged agencies under the Ministry of Labour to mobilize officials to assist organizations, employees, insurers and people affected. Efforts follow the ministry’s mission to keep up with situations according to the 3-phased plan, before disaster occurs, during the disaster and the rehabilitation phase, along with surveying information to help the victims.
On September 1, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul reported that the flooding from the tropical storm ‘Podul’, resulted in many provinces in the north and northeast region being affected, resulting in many people suffering. The government, by the Ministry of Labour, is concerned for the people in the affected areas. In terms of guidelines for rehabilitation and assistance for flood victims in the southern region, the Ministry of Labour has prepared a plan to help revitalize the people, especially target groups of workers, employees, employers and the general public. Before disasters occur, the ministry provided officers with technical knowledge for the benefit of disaster prevention and mitigation. During the disaster, officers know to examine the information of affected workers in order to help, protect and claim legal rights, and in the rehabilitation phase, officers have prepared vocational training and recruitment services for victims.
M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul added that the Ministry of Labour has set guidelines for helping flood victims in affected provinces. The Ministry of Labour’s plan follows the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan B.E. 2558, which has defined the rescue plan in 3 phases, namely 1) Before the disaster, to have guidelines/measures prepared. Explore equipment and tools for help. Prepare registration of technicians through a polytechnic application. Inspect the workplace to comply with workplace safety regulations. Create manuals and share knowledge about workplace safety and create floating toilets for example. 2) During the disaster, prepare a plan to check the information of workers affected and provide protection according to labour laws, including unemployment benefits to insurers in the event that the employer temporarily stops providing services due to force majeure, and 3) The rehabilitation period, to prepare vocational training and employment plans for victims, such as urgent employment activities and skill development to alleviate career distress. Train victims to increase career opportunities and provide employment and career promotion services. Organize social security services such as contributions and take off-site benefits submission form. Provide answers to questions and arrange a team of doctors and nurses together with hospitals in the network to provide basic treatment services in the affected area for example.
The Ministry of Labour has determined that each department periodically monitors and surveys the area to help the victims following the mission and situation in each area, enabling all staff in the departments to immediately assist organizations, employees, insured persons and the people affected.
According to a report from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior, on September 1, 2019, 24 provinces have been affected, covering 64 districts, 148 sub-districts, 356 villages, 1 municipality and 6 communities, impacting 3,663 households. There has been 1 death in Ubon Ratchathani and 1 injured person in Chaiyaphum. In Ban Phai, Ban Phai, Khon Kaen, there were 13 affected communities, 3,428 households, and around 13,712 people impacted. A total of 6 shelter points has been prepared, while villagers still need jet skis and boats to pick up and drop off people in flooded areas and to transport food supplies while waiting for help. The Ministry of Labour has assigned government agencies and labour volunteer to provide initial assistance and are in the process of surveying those affected.
Organizations, employees, insurers, and people affected by the ‘Podul’ storm can request help at all departments under the Ministry of Labour nationwide, or call the Ministry of Labour’s hotline on 1506, 24 hours a day.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division/
Division of Public Relations/
News by Chanchai Chaonongphian/
1 September 2019
