The Labour Minister presented funds to help the student who was electrocuted while working at Car Care in Nakhon Ratchasima during the term break and is prepared to take lawful action against the employer.
On October 12, 2018, Labour Minister H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo presented funds to the family of the severely electrocuted student who was injured while working at Car Care in Nakhon Ratchasima. Master Chaiwat Suesoongnern aged 14 years, a student in grade 7 at a high school in Nakhon Ratchasima, worked at AP Car Care in Baan Nong Bong, Moo 5, Suranaree Sub-district, Muaeng Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to earn an income during the term break from March to May, and was severely electrocuted to the extent of paralysis. The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare was assigned investigate; if found in wrongdoing, the employer would be prosecuted according to the law. Furthermore, the Social Security Office provided social security benefits to the employees immediately.
Pol.Gen. Adul said that the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare’s investigation of employer, employees and witnesses found that the employer had employed Master Chaiwat Suesoongnern, aged 13 years old, to work as a car washer, compensated a wage of 200 Baht per day. The employer will be prosecuted on the following accounts:
1) Violation of Section 44 of the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 on employment of children under 15 years, facing a fine from 400,000 to 800,000 Baht per employee, maximum imprisonment of 2 years, or both. 2) Section 90 concerning the minimum wage, facing a maximum imprisonment of 6 months, a maximum fine of 100,000 Baht, or both. 3) Violation of Section 8 of the Occupational Safety, Health and. Environment Act B.E. 2554 and ministerial regulations prescribing standards for management and operation of occupational safety, health and conditions in working with electricity. The employer did not care for the electrical wiring in case of defects or leakage, causing harm to the employee. 4) Violation of Section 34, in the event that an employee is in danger, but the employer does not inform the labour inspector, facing a maximum imprisonment of 1-year, maximum fine of 400,000 Baht, or both. The Nakhon Ratchasima Labour Protection and Welfare Office’s lawyer has filed a criminal complaint against the investigating officer and employer. Officials also found another 16-year-old child worker, employed without notice of child labour being send to the labour inspector. The Nakhon Ratchasima Labour Protection and Welfare Office’s lawyer has already been assigned to file a criminal complaint against the investigating officer and employer, at the Pho Klang Police Station, Muaeng, Nakhon Ratchasima, and will claim that the difference in wage be paid to the employee in accordance with the minimum wage.
In terms of remedy measures for workers suffering from accident or sickness from work, the Ministry of Labour’s Social Security Office will compensate for treatment leave, up to 60% of wages for no more than 1 year, equivalent to 59,904 Baht, or in the case of disability, 60% of wages for a period of 15 years equivalent to 898,560 Baht, and medical expenses up to 2,000,000 Baht. The Ministry of Labour also has public awareness measures to ensure employers comply with labour protection and safety regulations. Inquiries can be made to all provincial Labour Protection and Welfare Offices or the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline.
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News by Chaninthorn Phettap/
Division of Public Relations/
Information & Photos by Chanchai Chaonongphian/
Social Security Office and Department of Labour Protection and Welfare/
October 12, 2018
