The Labour Minister showed concern for the Thai worker who passed away in Japan, as doctors identified symptoms of nephritis. He ordered the diplomatic personnel to investigate the case and coordinate with the employer for the cremation and transportation of ashes back to the family in Thailand. Furthermore, the ministry will follow up on the legal benefits along with units under the Ministry of Labour in Buriram Province, to visit and support the family closely.
On November 6, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul spoke about the case of a Thai worker’s death in Japan due to illness and heart failure. The Ministry of Labor ordered the ambassador’s advisor (labour department) from the Labour Office in Japan to investigate the case and coordinate with the employer to arrange the cremation and send the ashes back to Thailand. Agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Buriram province have visited the family providing close care. The Labour Minister has also ordered coordination with relevant agencies to aid following the procedures.
The Labour Office in Japan’s Minister Counselor (on labour) Mr. Saichon Aknitwong investigated the case. He found that the Thai worker’s name was Mr. Somsak Kromthaisong, 49, a resident of Buriram province. The worker died of illness, initially presumed to be caused by heart failure. Mr. Somsak traveled to work by reporting his travels by himself since April 24, 2019. He was an employee of the “Mai Pen Rai” restaurant, located in Machida, Tokyo, Japan. His employer was Mr. Satit Kazuma.
The Labour Office in Japan’s Minister Counselor said that Mr. Somsak had a stomach ache, and his employer had taken him to the hospital since October 28, 2019. He was hospitalized, whereby the doctor reported a kidney infection. The employer said that Mr. Somsak’s symptoms improved to almost normal conditions sometimes, but sometimes the symptoms would subside. On November 2, 2019, at approximately 17.46 hours, Mr. Somsak stopped breathing. Doctors tried to help but were unsuccessful. Mr. Somsak later died.
For initial assistance, the employer notified the deceased’s daughter in Thailand. The family has requested that the employer arrange the cremation and send the ashes back to Thailand. The family also followed up on legal benefits, including 250,000 Yen in unpaid wages, whereby the medical treatment fees will be deducted from this, as the employer reported that the illness is not due to work. The rest will be returned to the family. The employer will pay the cost of arranging the funeral following the employment contract. The deceased is a member of the Overseas Jobseekers Assistance Fund and will thereby receive 40,000 Baht from the fund.
Thai workers who want to inquire for more information about working abroad, or report complaints/grievances, can contact the Provincial Employment Offices, Bangkok Employment Office Area 1-10, or the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Office, Department of Employment. For more information, please call the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506, press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Information by Office of Labour Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, Japan/
6 November 2019
