Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin responded to the Prime Ministers’ concerns regarding the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, causing employers to stop operating as the government ordered the temporary closure of the premises. In such a case, employees are entitled to receive unemployment benefits at the rate of 50 percent of the daily wages, not exceeding 90 days in total.
On April 21, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin reported Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s concern, and the Ministry of Labour, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has urged care for night workers within the framework of the law. Night workers, such as those in pubs, bars, entertainment venues, restaurants, and service places. Most of the workers were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Insured persons are to receive remedial assistance if their employer had to stop operating due to the government’s order for the temporary closure of the premises. Workers will receive compensation benefits in the event of unemployment due to the force majeure from Covid-19.
Mr. Suchart said that in the event of force majeure from Covid-19, the Ministry of Labour had issued a ministerial regulation for insured persons to receive compensation benefits in the event of unemployment due to force majeure caused by the outbreak of dangerous infectious diseases under the Communicable Disease Act, B.E. 2020 dated December 30, 2020, effective from December 19, 2020. The measure protects if insured persons cannot work due to the need for quarantine and monitor the outbreak. The employer must cease engaging in all or part of their business activities as the government orders temporary closure of the venue to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Such orders may cause the inability to operate normally, whereby employees may not be paid during that time. Employees in such a situation are entitled to receive unemployment benefits at the rate of 50 percent of the daily wages, not exceeding 90 days in total. The measure is effective from December 19, 2020, onwards. The Social Security Office has opened for affected employers and insurers to apply for compensation. The form can be downloaded from at www.sso.go.th
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Division of Public Relations
21 April 2021
