Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin showed concern for WingSpan Services Co., Ltd., a human resource management company for 2,598 employees in Thai Airways affiliated companies, who were abruptly laid off. He instructed the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to expedite assistance and ensure compensation according to the employees’ rights under the law.
On December 10, 2020, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin spoke about the case of employees of WingSpan Services Co., Ltd., who were suddenly laid off. He said that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, emphasizes the protection and care of the rights of all worker groups to achieve equality under the law. As the Labour Minister, he has continuously monitored the labour situation and is concerned for the 2,598 Wings Span employees who were suddenly laid off. Therefore, he instructed the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to visit the area to investigate the facts and provide assistance as soon as possible. From an initial investigation, it was found that WingSpan Services Company Limited is a human resource management company for Thai Airways subsidiaries, which announced the termination of employment for 2,598 employees, effective as of September 1, 2020, onwards. The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has ordered the inspectors to carry out their duties and clarify the laws and rights pertaining to the employees, as such cases affect many employees. For initial assistance, 1,072 employees were granted benefits under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 amounting to 127,999,622.11 Baht (one hundred twenty-seven million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand six hundred twenty-two Baht and eleven Satang). The other 1,526 employees are in the process of appointing to receive money from the employer, and another part is in the process of gathering facts and considering issuing an order for legal benefits.
Mr. Suchart added that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has also coordinated with relevant agencies, including the Provincial Employment Office, Provincial Social Security Office, Provincial Labour Office, Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, and other agencies under the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to assist customers following their authority. This includes finding employment and job vacancies, caring for the employees’ rights with compensation in case of unemployment, skill development to alleviate occupational distress, remedial aid to alleviate suffering, and the work and projects of various departments.
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Division of Public Relations
10 December 2020
