On June 29, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin welcomed Chairman of the Federation of Thailand Automobile Workers Union Mr. Manit Promkarikul and the committee to meet, listen to the vaccine allocation plan and thank the government for vaccinating Section 33 insured persons in factories and industrial estates. Advisor to the Labour Minister Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, and the Ministry of Labour’s executives also joined the occasion at the Chatumongkol Meeting Room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour. Mr. Manit said that today he met with the Labour Minister to listen to the vaccine allocation plan and thank the government for vaccinating Section 33 insured persons in factories and industrial estates currently underway. This is a good policy to help build immunity among workers in the workplace, especially in the automotive industry sector. Right now, there are large numbers of orders coming in as many countries are affected by the COVID and cannot export. Vaccinations for the workforce will positively affect export businesses to move forward, helping to reduce and control the spread of COVID to prevent clusters in factories again. He also asked about the progress on other labor demands that are not completed yet to inform members further.
Mr. Manit spoke about the case where the Deputy Head of the Progressive Party claimed that the government has stolen from the Social Security Fund to compensate workers where the CCSA has ordered the closure of worker camps in Bangkok and its vicinities. He said that the loan already exists, so why not use it? In this regard, Social Security Office has information on people in the system, enabling immediate action. Establishments and employees outside the social security system can also be compensated by just registering to the social security system for companies with employees. Entrepreneurs who do not have employees can register for the “Pao Tang” application to receive remedies next month. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, cares about all Thai people. Every policy is thorough in healing companies, paid according to the number of insured persons, but not more than 200 employees, at 3,000 Baht per person. Thai nationals who are insured persons will receive 2,000 Baht each.
Labour leader, Mr. Manas Kosol, said that the Social Security Act B.E. 2533 does not contain the word force majeure from unemployment, so there was a correction in the Social Security Act, Vol. 4, B.E. 2558, with added Section 79/1 as a ministerial regulation. This was due to the massive floods in 2011, which came into effect as announced in 2017 during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. Compensation for unemployment due to force majeure was paid at 62 percent and, in 2020, reduced from 62 to 50 percent of wages, following the law to remedy those affected by COVID-19 in case of unemployment when force majeure occurs. The Social Security Fund also helps to remedy by taking into account the financial stability of the Fund. As for reducing contributions to the Social Security Fund to 2.5 percent for both employers and employees, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry Council, and Labour Unions made claims to reduce the cost of living and save on everyday expenses. As a result, employers and companies themselves can move forward with the production process. During this COVID-19 situation, all parties must unite and rely on each other to overcome the situation together.
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Division of Public Relations
29 June 2021
