The Labour Minister gave a press statement regarding the second version of the Compensation Fund Act B.E. 2561, whereby 1 million government officers will receive the improved protection of 70 percent compensation from the original 60 percent of monthly salary, including compensation for 1 day off. Disability benefits are not less than 15 years, cases of death will receive 40,000 Baht in funeral expenses equal to the Social Security Fund, and beneficiaries will receive up to 10-years compensation. For employer’s rights, the additional benefit is reduced to 2 percent and reduced expenses for cases of natural disasters, effective December 9th.
On November 15, 2018, Labour Minister H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo chaired the press statement regarding the second version of the Compensation Fund Act B.E. 2561, which took place at the conference room on the 7th floor of the Bangkok Social Security Office Area 3. He said that the Ministry of Labour is a key agency in providing stability and security for people and reducing social inequality. There is the Social Security Office which looks after the rights of around 12 million people in the system and 22 million informal workers. At present, the SSO has both a Social Security Fund and Compensation Fund. The Social Security Fund consists of contributions from employees, employers and the government to cover cases of harm, illness, disability or death, not arising from work. This includes childbirth, childcare, pension and unemployment. The Compensation Fund is for cases of danger while working for an employer, whereby the employer contributes 480 Baht/ person/year to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation for work, funeral expenses and compensation for employees instead of employers when an employee is injured or sick, deceased or lost.
Pol.Gen. Adul said that this year, the Ministry of Labour’s Social Security Office amended the Compensation Fund Act because of some inappropriate provisions which affect the lives of employees. Thus, the Ministry of Labor has proposed amendments whereby the Compensation Fund Act B.E. 2561 will take effect on December 9, 2018. The essence of the act will extend the coverage to employees, including protection of government officers or non-profit organizations totalling 1 million workers; an increase in medical expenses from 2 million Baht until the end of treatment; an increase in treatment costs from 24,000 Baht to 40,000 Baht; an increase in funeral costs from 33,000 Baht to 40,000 Baht; an increase in compensation from the previous 60 percent of wages to 70 percent of salary with pay from the original start of 3 days to the first day of illness. In cases of disability, improvements have been made from the previous 15 years to throughout life and in death, dependents will be compensated from the original 8 years to 10 years. As for employer benefits, a reduction has been made by 2 percent per month from the previous 3 percent, and extra contributions must not exceed the employer contributions. In case of disaster, the government has the authority to reduce the payments, as well as an electronic channel have been added to facilitate the filing of contributions through electronic means.
————————————-
Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
Information by Social Security Office/
November 15, 2018/
