The Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson, Mr. Phumiphat Mueanchan, reported that the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has instructed the heads of the Ministry of Labour’s departments or the five labour leaders, labor volunteers, and graduates in the flood-affected areas to inspect and integrate with all agencies, both civilian, military, and local, to help employees and the affected people, to provide them with necessities for living. He also urged them to help expedite the Ministry of Labour’s urgent employment projects, for which agencies have already received budgets for areas where the situation has begun to improve. The project will employ people or victims who want to help restore the damage and clean up houses, shops, and important places that have been affected, and will run for 5 to 7 consecutive days. Those who participate will receive daily compensation.
The Ministry of Labour’s spokesperson said that the Ministry of Labour’s Operations Center reported that as of October 3, 2024, there were 16 provinces affected by flooding: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Nan, Nakhon Sawan, Loei, Nong Khai, and Mae Hong Son. A total of 510,474 people, 224,821 households, 1,901 businesses, and 2,730 employees have been impacted. There have been 45 deaths, 7 of whom were insured persons. The Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, has paid a total of 451,570 Baht in assistance. In addition, all units of the Ministry, namely the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the Department of Employment, the Department of Skill Development, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Social Security Office, and the Thailand Institute Of Occupational Safety And Health, have jointly provided relief bags, drinking water, ready-to-eat meals, boxed meals, medicines and medical supplies, as well as providing services to check and repair electrical equipment, motorcycles, and agricultural equipment. The Labour Minister requested cooperation from employers to allow employees to take leave without considering it a leave day and to survey the damage to affected businesses and employees to provide comprehensive assistance.
“The Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat, has visited Chiang Rai twice, namely Mueang and Mae Sai Districts, and found that although the situation has improved, all forces must still be mobilized to continuously help restore the city. The people affected are in better spirits after the government, military, local administrative organizations, private sector, and volunteers joined forces to provide continuous care and assistance. However, the Ministry of Labour will expedite projects under its responsibilities, such as employment, compensation for insured employees, and repair of work equipment to the fullest extent until the situation returns to normal,” said Mr. Phumiphat.
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Division of Public Relations
