On June 26, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin gave a speech after chairing the meeting to determine remedial measures to help Thai and foreign workers from cases where the government has ordered the closure of worker accommodations to restrict traveling and moving workers in Bangkok, its vicinities and four southern provinces amid the Covid-19 situation. The measures are in place for one month. He said that the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Ministry of Labour under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan are concerned for Thai and foreign workers who are affected by such measures. The Ministry of Labour was instructed to work with the Ministry of Interior, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Industry, local government organizations, and related agencies, to request cooperation from employers and businesses to prohibit the movement of workers in the dark red areas in 10 provinces, namely Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
Mr. Suchart said that on the Ministry of Labour’s part, the Social Security Office would compensate with unemployment benefits due to force majeure as businesses were ordered to close following instruction by the CCSA. Wages will be paid at 50 percent. The payment method will be discussed with businesses. Initially, payments will be made every five days. The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has been tasked with inspecting worker camps and educating employers and business operators. Illegal migrant workers must be brought into the system to make them legal. According to the initial report on the number of worker camps, there are currently 575 sites in Bangkok, with 83,375 employees. There are 140 sites in Nonthaburi provinces, 149 in Pathum Thani, and 32 in Samut Prakan. As for the rest of the provinces and the southern border provinces, the Labour Minister has instructed affiliated agencies in the area to work and meet with the governor of each province to implement measures to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the worker camps following the CCSAs measures.
Mr. Suchart said that the Ministry of Labour would work with the Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies to proactively screen for Covid-19 in all worker camps. If infected, workers must be isolated for treatment according to public health procedures. As for those who have not been tested for the virus, they will have to undergo a vaccination program for Covid-19. Furthermore, tomorrow (June 27, 2021), the Construction Association will be invited to clarify and understand the measures and guidelines for practice to prevent and control the pandemic.
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Division of Public Relations
25 June 2021
