The Social Security Office is being asked to propose a draft legal amendment ensuring women entitled to 98 days maternity leave are paid in full, not just for 90 days.
Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Dhanadirek said networks of women’s rights groups had called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to ensure employees get full payment for their entitled 98-day maternity leave.
The networks' calls were made in Bangkok on International Women’s Day, March 8.
Ms Ratchada said Gen Prayut had closely followed up on legal amendments to ensure employees entitled to 98 days maternal leave are fully paid by employers and the Social Security Office (SSO).
Currently, wage payments cover just 90 days.
Under the existing law, employers are required to pay the first 45 days of wages to employees on maternity leave. The second 45 days is paid by the SSO. The additional eight days of maternity leave are not covered by the existing law, Ms Ratchada said.
The Labour Ministry was in the process of asking the SSO to propose legal amendments on wage payments for the full 98-day maternity leave period.
The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare would bring this issue to a meeting of a panel on legal affairs to amend the 1998 Labour Protection Act to increase the rights of employees, the spokeswoman said.
“The government has continuously promoted the quality of life of women workers. The prime minister supports women being equally treated and receiving benefits from employment, enjoying their work and having a better quality of life.
"The Social Security Office has increased workers’ benefits under the Social Security Fund (SSF) by increasing childbirth subsidy from 13,000 baht to 15,000 baht, child welfare from 600 baht a month to 800 baht and prenatal care from 1,000 baht to 1,500 baht.
"In addition, health check-ups, breast examination and cervical cancer screening are provided free of charge for SSF subscribers. The government also promotes health care and provides vaccinations, such as against influenza, and protects women workers to ensure they get access to social welfare benefits,’’ Ms Ratchada said.