On March 29, 2025, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, chaired the War Room Meeting of the Coordination and Assistance Center for Workers Affected by the Earthquake at the Ministry of Labour and held a teleconference with the affected provincial labour offices. Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, and executives and officials from all departments under the Ministry of Labour attended the meeting.
Under the policy of Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, the Ministry of Labour has been assigned to take care of affected workers in all dimensions by using the full potential of every department in the Ministry. The War Room meeting has determined the following measures to help workers:
The Office of the Permanent Secretary of Labour
- Establish a coordination center to receive reports and facilitate information.
- Facilitate workers in issuing replacement documents for lost work permits.
- Cooperate with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to repair damaged workers’ houses.
- Open hotline channels 0 2956 2923 – 27 and 1506 press 5 for advice and coordinate assistance.
Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW)
- Visit the area to jointly inspect the incident site, such as the construction project of the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand building, which was affected by the earthquake.
- Check the working environment and safety of workers in the workplace.
- Accelerate measures to provide relief to foreign workers affected during their work.
Department of Employment (DOE)
- Prepare measures to help workers who have lost their jobs or income, such as finding new jobs and supporting freelancers.
- Coordinate with employers to take care of affected workers.
- Promote accessible rights for Thai and foreign workers.
Department of Skill Development (DSD)
- Prepare a reskilling plan for affected workers to restore their potential and find new jobs.
- Provide short-term training in affected areas free of charge.
Social Security Office (SSO)
- Prepare measures to assist insured persons who were injured or died from the earthquake.
- Consider paying benefits from the Compensation Fund and Social Security according to the conditions.
In addition, the Ministry of Labour has collaborated with the Labour Fund to provide an opportunity for businesses with savings cooperatives to borrow a total of 20 million Baht at an interest rate of 2% for 5 years to enhance liquidity during a crisis.
People can contact the local labour assistance center or the “Labour War Room” at the Ministry of Labour’s hotline on 1506 at any time.
