On August 30, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, assigned the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson, Mrs. Thienrat Navamawat, to visit Songkhla to meet and encourage the homeworkers group, the “Ban Phru Straw Rope Weaving” group. Deputy Mayor of Ban Phru, Mr. Sakrawee Chewasereechon, along with the heads of departments under the Ministry of Labour and members of the homeworkers group, welcomed them at the “Ban Phru Straw Rope Weaving” group, located at 29/1 Chum Saeng 4 Road, Ban Phru Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.
Mrs. Thienrat said that from the visit, she found that this group was promoted in employment and occupation by the Songkhla Provincial Employment Office. They were supported to develop their skills, encouraged grouping, and apply as a group member for homeworkers. Originally, the group had only eight members. Now, it has over 30 people. The Provincial Labour Protection and Welfare Office educated the members about labour protection laws. The Office of Skill Development will help promote skill development for the group’s members. Currently, the “Ban Phru Straw Rope Weaving” group in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, has Mrs. Sompong Phuwiset as the group’s leader. There are many products, including shoulder bags, handbags, baskets with steel frames, baskets without steel frames, silk cocoon bags, cocoon lamps, and water bottle nets. The group members have a monthly income of around 4,000 – 5,000 Baht.
Mrs. Thienrat continued that the “Ban Phru Straw Rope Weaving” group members were mostly elderly. The Ministry of Labour will assign the Provincial Social Security Office to take care of applications for insured persons under Section 40 to have social security and access to benefits to improve the quality of life. The effort is in line with the government’s policy. Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, and the Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin, emphasize the promotion of occupations in the informal sector to create employment at the local level. Informal workers are the largest group of workers in the country and are an important force in driving the country’s economy to compete with other countries. The Ministry of Labour has now accelerated the draft bill promoting the quality of life and protection of informal workers to protect and have a better quality of life. The said Act was approved by the Cabinet on December 28, 2021, and is under consideration by the Council of State to come into effect as soon as possible for informal workers to be taken care of and have a better quality of life.
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Public Relations Division
30 August 2022
