Social Security Fund (SSF) members were yesterday told that their unemployment payments should at least equal the 5,000 baht subsidy offered to those without jobs and not already covered by the scheme.
Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul said Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana has agreed with the Social Security Office to raise the minimum payment.
"I accept that we had some problems as some members of the SSF received a subsidy of less than 5,000 baht a month," he said adding that the group is expected to get the payment, which will cover all three months of the 5,000-baht handout, within 10 days.
The government launched the cash handouts as part of relief measures directed at those affected by the pandemic but not covered by the Social Security Fund's Section 33.
Members of the SSF were covered separately by the fund. However, according to the terms and conditions which subsidise 62% of their latest wages, some members who had a work record of fewer than 26 days a month had their compensation calculated based on less than 8,138 baht which means they received less than 5,000 baht a month. Therefore, they will get the difference compensated by the government.