Caretakers fight for legally due amount

By CHAKRAPONG RAWIWAN 
THE NATION

 

 

THE CARETAKERS of people with disabilities have lodged complaints with several authorities, saying they were paid just a fraction of the amount they were promised under a legally binding project.

 

 

“I was given just Bt18,000, instead of the Bt82,125 I was owed,” Thanida Anu-an, a Kalasin province resident, lamented yesterday. 

 

Under the law, big enterprises are required to recruit people with disabilities, contribute to a fund or hire them at a flat rate. 

 

Meanwhile, the fund uses its resources to improve the lives of people with disabilities such as providing them with caretakers or giving them a profession among others.

 

As part of this project, Thanida and several of her neighbours were hired as caretakers of children with physical disabilities. 

 

However, they began complaining when the wages paid were a lot lower than what was promised. 

 

Official complaint

 

In response, the Network for Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities has officially filed a complaint with the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of Public-Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of National Human Rights Commission. 

 

Preeda Limnonthakul

 

“We have detected a suspicious practice by the Club of Kalasin Parents of the Intellectually Challenged as well as state officials attached to the province’s social development and human security office,” the network’s chairman Preeda Limnonthakul said. 

 

The club had reportedly kept the caretakers’ bank passbooks and ATM cards for several months, until Thanida openly challenged its practice. 

“We have evidence in the form of witnesses and Line chat history,” Preeda said. 

 

Thanida said she was being treated unfairly because instead of offering remedial action, the state officials had rebuked her for lodging a complaint. 

 

“My ATM card and passbook were mailed to me, but nobody has told me how I can get the money I’m owed,” she said.

 

So far, five others have joined Thanida in her effort to demand justice, because they too have not received the full amount they were promised. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30357935

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-06

"...In response, the Network for Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities has officially filed a complaint with the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of Public-Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of National Human Rights Commission..." 

 

Good for the Network for Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities! It is a great thing that you provide a voice for those who need it.

 

Stealing, at the best of times, is a shameful criminal act.

 

Stealing from people who help care for those with disabilities is a whole new level of disgust; there is a truly special place in hell for those that steal from the most vulnerable or those that assist them.

 

Good for you, Nation, for printing the story. And, please please keep after it and follow up. 

 

 

Edited November 5, 20187 yr by Samui Bodoh

That´s what I told my wife, when she wanted to sign up for same kind of insurance for her father. I told her they are just collecting money and you will never see what you are promised from start. She signed up anyway. Let´s see if I am right in about 20-30 years from now. I am a very patient man.