The new wave of COVID-19 outbreaks has spread throughout the country, and CCSA decided to close construction worker’s campsites to restrict traveling and workers’ movement in the dark red provinces for one month to control the spread of COVID-19 in worker camp clusters. Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered the Ministry of Labour to issue measures to remedy impacted employees in worker camps, including compensation from force majeure at 50 percent of wages. Employers are asked for their cooperation in taking care of all three meals, whereas the Ministry of Labour will support consumer goods donated by the private sector through the Thai Contractors Association under H.M. The King’s Patronage. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour has sponsored food expenses, receiving food from traders. Project participants include the Bangkok Stall Hawker Club, the Taxi Drivers Association of Thailand, the Thai Restaurant Association, and shops around the construction camp, for a total of 132 places, working together to distribute food to the workers in the construction camps under the “sharing kindness from shops to workers” activity. The initiative started on July 12 to 27, 2021, and is responsible by the Department of Employment.
Recently, on social media, a story has been shared by a Facebook user called “Baan Zaap,” who shared a post about the project, saying that amid a crisis, there is still compassion. The “Baan Zaap” restaurant thanked the Prime Minister, the Labour Minister, and the staff from the Bangkok Employment Office Area 6 for entrusting and allowing the restaurant to prepare lunch boxes for construction workers. The Baan Zaap restaurant is ready and determined to fulfill its duties on this special occasion. Another Facebook page shared a story about the project to prepare lunch boxes for workers in campsites. It said that today’s menu included fried spicy catfish and fried sausages. The page thanked the Prime Minister and the Labour Minister for providing the opportunity to cook and help the workers during this crisis, helping them make an income to support themselves and their families.
A campsite worker representative, who lives in Suksawat 30, posted a message on social media saying, “I am a representative from a worker’s campsite in Soi Suksawat 3. I thank the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, for delivering food boxes to workers every day. Thank you for being considerate and for not abandoning workers.” Similarly, Ann Thachuda Poondechawong posted a message, which said that CM Grand Development Co., Ltd. would like to thank the Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin, the Director-General of the Department of Employment Mr. Pairoj Chotiksetian, and the Bangkok Employment Office Area 2, for delivering food to the campsite workers every day. She thanked them for their generosity in times of trouble and that we will get through this crisis together.
After the post was published, many people expressed their appreciation for the project. The effort is an additional measure from the Ministry of Labour’s request for employers’ cooperation to control the spread of COVID-19. Such measures are in addition to taking care of campsite workers. It will also help lighten the burden and alleviate the suffering of small businesses and hawker stalls affected by COVID-19 to provide income for families to overcome this situation together.
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Division of Public Relations
26 July 2021
