On October 3, 2024, the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, welcomed the President of the Informal Workers Coordination Center, Mr. Suchin Rungsawang, along with the Taxi Association and representatives of independent professions in 10 districts of Bangkok. They thanked the Labour Minister for supporting the work of labour volunteers nationwide, totaling over 7,988 people and informal workers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Lieutenant Saroj Komkhai, along with senior executives from the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare and the Social Security Office, attended at the Chatumongkol Room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour.
The President of the Informal Workers Coordination Center, Mr. Suchin Rungsawang, thanked the Labour Minister for providing the opportunity to meet and support the work of labour volunteers, whereby compensation has been adjusted from 600 to 750 Baht. He said that they are pleased to work with the Ministry of Labour in publicizing information, coordinating labour issues, and preventing and solving labour issues at the local level. He said that they are also pleased to support the development and promotion of both informal and formal workers. He thanked the Department of Skill Development for supporting training to develop the workers’ skills.
Mr. Arun Srito said that they agreed with the minister who supported the minimum wage increase to 400 Baht, which would improve the quality of life for workers. They thanked him for helping to push for the social security benefits to be submitted to the cabinet for all three measures and to increase maternity leave rights, for example.
Mr. Samret Muraka, representative of the Public Taxi Drivers Association, added that they would like to thank Mr. Phiphat for improving the benefits of Social Security Section 40 to be more in line with the profession.
Mr. Phiphat said that he, along with the executives of the Ministry of Labour, was pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the Informal Workers Coordination Center, who came to encourage the Ministry of Labour today. He thanked them for their support in many matters, especially the work of labour volunteers and informal workers. He said that if there is anything they can support in the future, they are happy to coordinate and are ready to work together, as volunteers are a mechanism that drives the work of preventing and solving labour issues.
In terms of adjusting the coverage of social security rights, he informed the group of good news that the benefits for insured persons of farmers and maids to be under Section 33 have been submitted to the board. They are currently being submitted to the subcommittee so that further study of the guidelines can be done. If possible, it is expected to be announced in 2025. The Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, will publicize it for general information.
“Thank you for coming to encourage me today. I am determined to move forward with all the labour volunteers,” concluded Mr. Phiphat.
