On May 11, 2022, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin welcomed a group of labour leaders led by Mr. Manit Promkarikul, Chairman of the Federation of Thailand Automobile Workers, Mr. Charlie Loysung, Advisor to the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, Mr. Chansin Subnonwai, Chairman of the Social Workers Group, and committees, on the occasion of meeting the Labour Minister to present a bouquet. The occasion was to express gratitude to the government, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Prayuth Chan-ocha through the Labour Minister, who has helped push for the Social Security Act (No…) B.E. …. It was approved by the Cabinet yesterday (May 10, 2022). Labour leaders had previously called for amendments to the old-age benefits to alleviate troubles. The Labour Minister’s Advisor, Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan, Secretariat to the Labour Minister, Mr. Suthep Chitvong, Assistant Ministers from the Prime Minister’s Office performing duties for the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Suthi Sukosol, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson (on politics), Mrs. Thienrat Navamawat, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong, and the Ministry of Labour’s senior executives participated in this event at the foyer on the 1st floor, Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Suchart said that the main purpose of drafting the Social Security Act (No. ..) B.E. …. was in alignment with the social security reform plan to enhance various benefits for insured persons following the changing situation. It allows insured persons to have the right to choose to receive a pension or old-age pension as collateral for loans from financial institutions and can take out some of the old-age contributions to the Social Security Fund. The initiative further supports the aging society too.
Mr. Suchart said that the essence of the Draft Social Security Act (No. ..) B.E.…. includes 1) Expansion of protection for insured persons to support an aging society by extending the maximum age of insured persons under Section 33, allowing beneficiaries of the old-age pension to apply as an insured person. It also allows old-age pension beneficiaries to apply for an advance pension. 2) Amendment of the old-age benefits arising from the demands of the labour groups to alleviate the suffering of insured persons. It allows the insured person to choose to receive a pension or old-age pension (to choose). In an economic crisis, public disaster, or any other event affecting the insured person, they can use some old-age savings in advance first (refund). The old-age savings can be used as collateral with financial institutions (loans). 3) Other benefit amendments such as leave of absence for maternity allowance from 90 days to 98 days, compensation for lack of income in the case of disability, from 50 percent to 70 percent, and child allowance, to receive protection for another six months from the last day of being an insured person. 4) Improve the conditions for becoming insured under Section 39 and determine that the insured person’s surcharge under section 39 must not exceed contributions to be paid. 5) Amendments to the provisions relating to the Commission, in terms of the acquisition of employer and insured person representatives and the determination of qualifications, prohibited characteristics, and tenure. Expanding the power of the Board of Directors to dispose of bad debts from accounts receivable, including the management of employees and employees; and 6) Amendment of criminal penalties for employers to be in line with the nature of the offenses for which employers are obliged to comply with the law.
Mr. Manit Promkarikul, Chairman of the Federation of Thailand Automobile Workers, said that on behalf of the labour leaders group, he thanked the government under the Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin for seeing the importance and understanding the suffering of the workforce amid COVID-19. The social security law has been amended to enhance benefits, allowing the workforce to truly benefit.
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Division of Public Relations
11 May 2022
