On January 23, 2025, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, chaired the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Labour’s Meets the People Project in 2025 and the project to create awareness of Social Security Section 40 for independent workers in Phatthalung Province. Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, gave a report. Mr. Ratthasart Chitchu, Governor of Phatthalung Province, gave a welcome speech. Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Minister of Labour, Mr. Phuchong Worasri, assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister and currently serving at the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Phumipat Mueanchan, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson, Mr. Phumipat Mueanchan, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pichet Thongphan, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, Ms. Kornjirat Phongchanthorn, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, the Ministry of Labour’s executives, heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour, labour volunteers, labour graduates, insured person network, and business establishments, attended the event at the Phetthong meeting room, Roi Thong Resort Hotel, Phatthalung Province.
Mr. Phiphat said that the Ministry of Labour’s Meet the People Project in 2025 is a proactive service for the people nationwide. It delivers the missions of the agencies under the Ministry of Labour to facilitate and provide services to the people in Phatthalung Province and nearby provinces in the southern region. This year, the government led by Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Labour aim to develop the labour sector to keep up with digital technology by aiming to develop no less than 500,000 people by 2029, especially in semiconductors. It also aims to promote employment both domestically and overseas, with a target of at least 100,000 people in 2025. According to the Bank of Thailand, Thai workers working overseas transferred over 480 billion Baht back into the country in 2023. If workers work legally through the Department of Employment, they will be able to bring in up to 1 trillion Baht, which is approximately 7% of the country’s GDP. Therefore, the Ministry of Labour is a social ministry and also a semi-economic ministry.
Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, said that the Ministry of Labour’s Meet the People Project in Phatthalung Province aims to integrate the work between agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Phatthalung Province, including government and private sector networks, to deliver proactive labour missions and services to the people of Phatthalung Province and nearby areas. The activities in the event included the project to create awareness of Social Security Section 40 for independent workers, worker meeting activities, labour skill development training for occupations, and exhibitions of products and work according to the One Tambon One Independent Occupation Group policy, including training on occupational safety. The Ministry of Labour emphasizes the development of human resources to be efficient in working to support future industries and promote work at all ages to increase job opportunities for all groups and increase household income. In addition, training and knowledge are shared so that independent occupation groups can take work home. There is also support from the loan fund for occupations, the promotion of labour protection and welfare, and social security benefits to the people of Phatthalung Province and the southern region. He thanked the labour network, government, private sector, and business establishments that have worked together to organize the project today and is ready to roll out the initiative for people nationwide.
Mrs. Marasri Jairangsi, the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, said that the Social Security Office joined the project to raise awareness of Social Security Section 40 to independent workers in Phatthalung Province today. They organized a speech on “Social Security Benefits Section 40: Items Independent Workers Should Know About” to promote knowledge and understanding about the protection that insured persons will receive from applying to Section 40, which provides up to 5 entitlements in the case of illness, disability, death, old age, and child welfare. They also organized a forum to discuss and exchange experiences on Social Security Section 40, set up a booth to sell products from the network, provide flu vaccinations and preventive health checks, and other activities of the Social Security Network.