On November 7, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, chaired the meeting to provide policies and guidelines for government operations to executives and staff of the Social Security Office. The Ministry of Labour’s senior executives attended the meeting. The Social Security Office’s Secretary-General, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, and the Social Security Office’s executives and staff gave a welcome at the Amphol Singhakowin Meeting Room, 6th Floor, Administration Building, Social Security Office.
Mr. Suchart thanked the Social Security Office’s executives, officials, and staff for their achievements and dedication to driving policies following the 20-year national strategy on creating opportunities and social equality. It strives to create fairness and reduce inequality in all dimensions. The government’s policies under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Deputy Prime General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the Ministry of Labour, are committed to pushing various labour policies on developing social security systems and benefits to help employees, insured persons, and entrepreneurs affected by the COVID-19 situation and economic recession, to overcoming the crises. He said today was a good opportunity to meet and provide operational policies to executives and staff of the Social Security Office so that all sectors can use their knowledge and abilities to work together effectively.
Mr. Suchart also discussed the guidelines for the administration of the executives and staff of the Social Security Office to drive social security work to be acceptable to the employees, insured persons, and society as a whole on the following issues:
1) Improve benefits by amending the Social Security Act B.E. 2533 by adding three principles, that is, the insurer can (1) “Select” to receive a pension or old-age pension (2) “Refund” the insured persons’ economy is impacted, to be able to use some of the old age savings in advance, and (3) “Borrow” by using the old age savings as collateral with financial institutions. Also, adjusting other benefits such as increasing allowance for maternity leave for 98 days (previously 90 days) and increasing disability compensation to 70 percent (previously 50 percent).
2) Increase housing benefits for insured persons through a feasibility study and survey of insured persons’ opinions to set guidelines for building housing for retired insured persons.
3) Establish a specialised medical institution for insured persons and increase the benefits and access to treatment for insured persons for specific diseases without waiting for hospital treatment under their registered hospital, using the same model as Chulabhorn Hospital.
4) Proactive health promotion for insured persons in the workplace to make health care for insured persons easily accessible, giving advice and counseling to change the behavior of at-risk groups and prevent illnesses that could occur in the future.
5) Expand social security coverage to voluntary independent workers, creating awareness for insured persons to focus on continually sending contributions, including adding channels to pay contributions.
6) Establish a labour bank for insured persons to have easier access to low-interest loans and boost confidence that the Social Security Office will continue to work for the maximum benefit of the insured person.
7) Public relations on social security benefits and the performance of the Social Security Office to create knowledge and understanding of social security services, as well as building trust in the Social Security Office.
8) Information technology system development is an important basis for service development and the social security system to respond to the needs and facilitate employers, insured persons, and stakeholders to receive quality and fast service.
9) Investment management to generate returns. The Social Security Office was asked to prepare and formulate an investment plan carefully, aiming to create stability for the fund, which is key.
10) Modernizing SSO with flexibility, transparency, and good governance and creating a happy organization and workplace that balances work, life, family, and health.
“I would like to thank the Social Security Office’s executives, civil servants, and staff for their work, driving the most important policies and guidelines. The efforts strive to improve the quality of life for all groups, reduce social inequality, and be a stable pillar for insured employees forever,” said Mr. Suchart.
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Division of Public Relations
7 November 2022
