PM allays benefit, health-scheme fears

PM allays benefit, health-scheme fears

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greets labour groups and workers who turned up to celebrate Labour Day at the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre, presiding over the celebrations and attending a work-themed exhibition. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greets labour groups and workers who turned up to celebrate Labour Day at the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre, presiding over the celebrations and attending a work-themed exhibition. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha marked International Labour Day Monday by pledging to safeguard all existing state benefits for workers and dismissing a lingering rumour that the 30-baht healthcare scheme will be scrapped.

He said the rumour was an attempt to mislead the public and warned those behind it to stop spreading lies.

The prime minister claimed the government had never considered cutting or lowering any current benefits, but was in fact considering adding more of them.

Labour groups, meanwhile, celebrated Labour Day and called on Gen Prayut, who presided over an event to mark the occasion Monday, to better protect workers' rights.

The groups outlined a list of demands they said would improve the livelihoods of workers.

Labour Congress of Thailand (LCT) president Shinnachot Saengsang said the labour groups want the Labour Ministry and the government as a whole to seriously consider the demands.

The labour groups want the government to ratify International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions No.87 and No.98 which have been awaiting ratification since 1992.

Previous governments reneged on promises to ratify these international labour conventions, that are important for attracting more foreign investors which would generate jobs, said Mr Shinnachot.

The groups also demanded that the government reform the Social Security Office and make it an independent organisation under the supervision of the Labour Ministry so that it can better manage and improve the way it invests money currently contributed by employees to the Social Security Fund.

They also urged the government to consider amending a particular set of ministerial rules to: allow workers registered under the social security system to be able to obtain medical services at every hospital in case of illness or injuries from accidents related to their work; and allow those having rightfully obtained entitlements to compensation under the state-run compensation fund to also be able to claim the right to work-related compensation under the Social Security Fund.

In addition the labour groups want the government to allow social security members to subscribe to the national savings fund.

Also, the groups demanded that workers be fully covered for medical expenses in case of emergency treatment and for fully paid leave following serious accidents.

Another demand called for the government to speed up a legal amendment that would put in place better protection for casual workers.

Next on the list was a call for the government to pass laws on state enterprise development and stop any attempts to privatise state enterprises.

Last on the list was a demand that the government draft a royal decree to launch a savings scheme for workers similar to the provident fund, as stated in Section 163 of the 1998 Labour Protection Act, which aims to ensure all workers save enough money for their retirement.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (2)