Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, announced that the Ministry of Labour has introduced urgent measures to assist individuals affected by the recent violence along the Thai–Cambodian border. The Labour Minister has directed four key departments, including the Department of Employment (DOE), Department of Skill Development (DSD), Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), and the Social Security Office (SSO) to implement coordinated support measures for insured employees, employers, migrant workers, and the general public in the impacted areas.
From the Department of Employment, key measures include providing areas for field kitchens to prepare food for those affected, coordinating the relocation of Thai workers who wish to leave the conflict zones for work elsewhere, and facilitating the repatriation of Cambodian migrant workers, including temporary shelter arrangements while they await return. They will also advise employers to closely monitor and care for their workers, mainly to prevent conflict among staff, and extend permission for Cambodian migrant workers entering on border passes (even expired ones) to continue working temporarily.
The Department of Skills Development will prepare agency-owned facilities to serve as temporary shelters for evacuees and allocate space for additional field kitchens to serve meals to those in need. Meanwhile, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare will request employers to allow affected employees to take time off without counting it as annual leave or a violation of work regulations, and monitor and mitigate potential conflicts between Thai and Cambodian workers at the workplace.
Mr. Pongkawin added that he has instructed the Social Security Office to call on hospitals in the social security network located in affected provinces to provide free treatment for insured persons, record medical service claims in the MMS (Medical Management System) for rapid processing, and Expedite emergency claims within 72 hours through MMS to ensure timely reimbursement to healthcare providers.
The Ministry of Labour encourages all affected insured persons, employers, migrant workers, and members of the public to contact the 24-hour Labour Ministry hotline at 1506 for more information or support.
