On February 10, 2024, at 13.00 hours, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, listened to policy recommendations for informal workers gathered from the “Federation of Informal Workers Seminar 2025” organized by the Federation of Informal Workers (Thailand), the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and the Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University. He also joined the discussion on the “Ministry of Labour’s Direction and Policy for Developing the Quality of Life of Informal Workers.” Mrs. Kotchaporn Klakthongkham, President of the Federation of Informal Workers (Thailand) and co-organizing organizations, gave a report at the Century Park Hotel, Bangkok.
Mr. Phiphat said that the Ministry of Labour places importance on the informal labour sector, as it is a key component of the economy. Currently, it is accelerating the promotion of the quality of life of informal workers through the “One Tambon, One Independent Occupation Group” policy to upgrade the products or services by independent occupation groups that participate with the Ministry of Labour from the standard level to the high level (premium), including enhancing products or services with the marketing principle (4P) for sustainable development. The participating groups will become models for other independent occupation groups to further develop their products or services and have stable occupations, leading to increased income and a better quality of life. Currently, the Department of Skill Development is in the process of organizing training to align with the needs of each occupation group to promote sustainable occupations.
In addition, the law on the protection of home workers and domestic workers has been developed by amending the draft Home Workers Protection Act (No. …) B.E. … The amendment extends the protection to home workers in a way that aligns with the current context and is more consistent with Convention No. 177. Currently, the draft of the Act is being considered by the Council of State. In addition, the Ministerial Regulation has been revised to enhance the protection of domestic workers with the scope of application to employers who hire at least one employee to do housework that does not involve business. This is considered an improvement in the protection standards for domestic workers, reducing the level of inequality in society and creating more opportunities to access government services. The protection has also been extended to domestic workers to be insured under Section 33, which has been approved by the Social Security Committee and is currently seeking approval from stakeholders to be used in amending the law.
“The Ministry of Labour has worked with government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and informal worker networks, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the National Savings Fund (NSF), the Health Security Office (HSO), including the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion or HomeNet Thailand, in developing informal workers. The Ministry of Labour is pleased to support and work with freelance occupations in a more comprehensive manner.”
Mr. Phiphat also invited independent workers to join the social security system under Section 40 for one year to receive various rights and eligibility with the various assistance measures established.
“When you enter the social security system under Section 40, you propose various assistance measures to the Social Security Committee, some of which are representatives from the social security people. They will understand the needs of the workers. The Ministry of Labour is ready to support all fellow workers,” said Mr. Phiphat.
