On September 9, 2020, at 09.30 hours, Secretary-General to the Ministry of Labour Mr. Suthep Chittayawong, presided over the Social Security Project’s opening ceremony throughout Thailand for the 1st and 2nd generation of independent workers (regional). Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat, the Social Security Office’s Secretary-General Mr. Todsaphon Kritwongwiman, Chonburi District Sheriff Mr. Sukhon Suwannasaksin, Mayor of Saensuk Municipality Mr. Narongchai Khunpluem, the Social Security Offices executives and officials gave a welcoming at the Sansuk Room, Bangsaen Heritage Hotel, Muang, Chonburi.
Secretary-General to the Ministry of Labour Mr. Suthep Chitvong said that the Ministry of Labour has important missions in developing and empowering people by building social security tp align with necessities for life, especially populations of disadvantaged and fragile people, including the elderly. Many of these people do not have social protection yet, which is one reason for social inequality. According to the National Statistical Office’s 2019 independent worker data survey, there were 20.4 million independent workers nationwide, but only 3.40 million people, or 16.67 percent, have access to Section 40 of the Social Security protection system; 17.00 million independent workers, or 83.33 percent have not yet entered the protection system. Therefore, to reduce such inequity, the Ministry of Labour has promoted support and publicized to people in the working-age and self-employed group, to recognize the importance of having social security by applying to the Social Security system, and to enhance the development of a better quality of life.
Mr. Suthep further said that social security projects throughout Thailand towards independent workers have objectives to promote public relations, build knowledge and understanding about Section 40 social security benefits and create incentives for independent workers to social protection. This will enhance and improve the quality of life for the workers themselves and their families. The working-age spans from 15 to 65 years of age. Efforts include public relations campaigns to provide knowledge about Section 40 and take applications from potential insured persons by targeting participants. It consists of a social security network, independent workers, and insured persons under Section 40 in Chonburi, totaling 300 people. The event included an exhibition on social security protection for independent workers, registration for insured persons under Section 40, and a showcase of products created by insured persons’ social security networks under Section 40, independent workers, and the Elderly Association of Chonburi. It is expected that the implementation of the said project will contribute to supporting independent workers in Chonburi to be more aware and join as a network to support the expansion of social security protection for workers in the independent worker sector to receive additional social security protection.
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Division of Public Relations
9 September 2020
