The Ministry of Labour had discussions with the Just Economy and Labour Institute regarding the expedition of social security benefits paid to insurers under Section 33, in order to lead operations and formulate policies to help insurers affected by the COVID-19 situation in the long term.
On 9 June 2020, at 12.00 hours, Assistant to the Labour Minister Dr. Duangrit Benjathukul Chairungrueng and Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat welcomed representatives from the Just Economy and Labour Institute on the occasion of submitting a letter to the Assistant to the Labour Minister. The letter concerned the expedition of social security benefits paid to insurers under Section 33 and relevant agencies to issue measures to relieve the suffering of insured persons and the business sector in the long run. The meeting took place at the Labour Relations Committee Meeting Room, 1st floor, Ministry of Labour.
Representatives from the Just Economy and Labour Institute said that the Social Security Office should expedite the payment of social security benefits to insurers under Section 33, and the relevant agencies should issue measures to relieve the suffering of insured persons together with the business sector. The initiative should target the long run by collecting opinions of civil society organizations on labour, labour academics, and insured persons under Section 33. The visiting party made a proposal to the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office and the Social Security Board, for example, to extend remedial measures in delivering the insured person contributions at 1 percent until the overall economy recovers, and to cover all sectors of labour. This includes workers who are outside the social security system, in agriculture, self-employment, and migrant workers, by not discriminating against nationality. The proposal also included the cancellation of Ministerial Regulations on receiving compensation benefits in the event of unemployment due to force majeure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic B.E. 2020 to have a feedback system and risk insurance system for employees for example.
Dr. Duangrit said that the proposals by the Just Economy and Labour Institute would be presented to the Labour Minister to consider implementing and establishing policies to assist insured persons under Section 33, who are affected by the COVID-19 situation in relevant areas.
