Freelancers in the frame: Thailand mulls welfare for all, even in the sex trade

[webfact]

The government is contemplating extending welfare protections to freelance workers, including those in the sex industry, akin to those available to employees registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), contingent on their payment of income taxes.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong revealed that discussions are underway with multiple agencies to establish a welfare system to safeguard freelance workers, including tour guides, ride-hailing service drivers, online content creators, and sex workers.

 

Freelancers could access medical and other welfare benefits under the proposed system, provided they declare their income and fulfil tax obligations.

 

Sorawong mentioned that this initiative follows consultations with representatives from various civil and labour advocacy groups, who highlighted potential challenges in implementing such a system.

Representatives from the Service Workers in Group Foundation (Swing) indicated that sex workers are seeking welfare benefits and legal protections. However, many are reluctant to disclose their identities due to the nature of their work, said Sorawong.

“Sex workers are calling for welfare benefits and legal protections, but many do not wish to reveal their identity.”

During the same discussion, the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand underscored the urgent need to extend welfare protections to freelance workers in the tourism sector, emphasising their substantial contribution to the national economy.

 

The feedback from various civil and labour advocacy groups will serve as the foundation for a bill aimed at providing welfare coverage for freelance workers. The government intends to present this bill in the upcoming parliamentary session, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In related news, Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-09-24

 

[redwood1]

A freelancer would be in the perfect position to plead poverty to get the Max benefits......While continuing to make piles of unreported income....... The girls would love it.......lol

[MalcolmB]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

provided they declare their income and fulfil tax obligations.

That ain’t going to happen. 

 

[dayo202]

Barfines 500฿ plus tax 😊 

[SAFETY FIRST]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

government is contemplating extending welfare protections to freelance workers, including those in the sex industry

The government is doing things backwards.

 

The freelancers would not freelance if the government paid a pension or similar to the young single mothers, also garnishing the wages of the fathers that have taken off. 

 

[ChrisY1]

This is unimaginable news!.....Hookers getting welfare....an illegal trade being supported? 

About freakin' time....

Admit it and stop the nicey nicey pretence, that Thailand is a purist country...prostitution in Thailand is huge

[jippytum]

Perhaps she has tranferred everthing to her driver as her father did to avoid taxes when he sold Shin corp. 

[soalbundy]

That should also include tax paying expats who instead get legally screwed to paying 3 times the amount for hospital treatment than a Thai, we should also be included in the 30 Baht scheme, let us get something out of this instead of being eternally screwed.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The government is contemplating extending welfare protections to freelance workers, including those in the sex industry, akin to those available to employees registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), contingent on their payment of income taxes.

Not so sure that sex workers really want to declare their actual earnings and pay tax...

although they wouldn't say no to the SSF.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

That ain’t going to happen. 

 

Rain every day, no have customer ....

[thesetat2013]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

including those in the sex industry, akin to those available to employees registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), contingent on their payment of income taxes.

i guess there will be no need for this since Thailand has blatantly said there is NO Prostitution in Thailand. All those sexy young women on soi 6 Pattaya are merely eye candy to get you to buy drinks. 

[shackleton]

So the government now admit there is Prostitution in Thailand

Instead of  denying it 🤑

[portisaacozzy]

4 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

This is unimaginable news!.....Hookers getting welfare....an illegal trade being supported? 

About freakin' time....

Admit it and stop the nicey nicey pretence, that Thailand is a purist country...prostitution in Thailand is huge

and make Thailand a world class family destination 

[khunPer]

I presume that the regular monthly donations from one or more foreign men are considered tax-free gifts...

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, shackleton said:

So the government now admit there is Prostitution in Thailand

Instead of  denying it 🤑

 

Here we go again 🙄. Can you produce any evidence that the government has ever stated that there is "no prostitution in Thailand"?  I doubt it, as prostitution is regulated under Thai law!!

[Ben Zioner]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The government is contemplating extending welfare protections to freelance workers, including those in the sex industry, akin to those available to employees registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF), contingent on their payment of income taxes.

 

Are foreigners considered as income tax paying freelance workers.

[scorecard]

Just now, Ben Zioner said:

Are foreigners considered as income tax paying freelance workers.

In what work?

[Celsius]

OnlyTax

[it is what it is]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Not so sure that sex workers really want to declare their actual earnings and pay tax...

although they wouldn't say no to the SSF.

 

they'll need to get receipts, keep and declare annual accounts, as any sole trader would. not sure the thai revenue infrastructure is up to it

[cowellandrew]

Picture 

Grab Express!

🙈👮‍♂️😂😂😂😂😂😂

[black tabby12345]

Policy for the better-being of the underprivileged?

What is the condition for that?  

The poor need to register themselves  for income tax.

 

Do you buy a used car from  this man?

 

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Not so sure that sex workers really want to declare their actual earnings and pay tax...

although they wouldn't say no to the SSF.

Remembering that the Social Security Fund has rules and regulations which must be adhered to:

 

- All persons in permanent employment must become members of the SSF.

 

- SSF members are required to pay a monthly contribution of 432Baht a month to the SSF.. Plus the employer is required to match that amount and the employer is required to transfer both amounts to the SSF by a deadline date each month. (Wonder how employers would react to / comply with this item?)

[Danderman123]

Better title for this topic:

 

"Thailand wants everyone to pay income tax".

[Luuk Chaai]

11 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Here we go again 🙄. Can you produce any evidence that the government has ever stated that there is "no prostitution in Thailand"?  I doubt it, as prostitution is regulated under Thai law!!

[bigt3116]

16 hours ago, soalbundy said:

That should also include tax paying expats

 

If you are paying tax, that would suggest you are working? If you are working then you should/could be registered for the social security scheme?

[bigt3116]

11 hours ago, scorecard said:

Remembering that the Social Security Fund has rules and regulations which must be adhered to:

 

- All persons in permanent employment must become members of the SSF.

 

- SSF members are required to pay a monthly contribution of 432Baht a month to the SSF.. Plus the employer is required to match that amount and the employer is required to transfer both amounts to the SSF by a deadline date each month.

 

OK, 66% of the above is incorrect.

 

Not every employee has to pay into the SSF; Government officials and permanent employees of central administration, provincial administration and local administration. To name just one (very large) group of people who do not participate in that scheme.

 

The monthly contribution is a max of 750 baht a month. The 432 baht is what you pay AFTER you finish working if you want to keep the healthcare benefits, and obviously your ex-employer does not have to match that.

[black tabby12345]

17 hours ago, Celsius said:

OnlyTax

 

I presume so, too.

Kind offer is just the bait to trap the less fortunate.

After these poor people are registered for income tax, they  forever have to wait for the minister's word to come true.

The real aim is to make them pay tax to enrich their own wallet even further without  giving them any benefit.

 

Do you believe in  a promise of this man?

  

[brewsterbudgen]

6 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

That was only for Walking Street in Pattaya, not the whole country.   In any case, they were referring to streetwalkers and premises acting as brothels - both illegal.  Walking Street is famous for gogo bars which operate perfectly legally, as long as they don't also operate as brothels.  There is nothing illegal about barfining a gogo dancer or bargirl/boy and taking her/him to your hotel or home.  In fact that is how the legislation that regulates this type 'entertainment' works - it even stipulates employees should be indentifiable by numbers.

[brianthainess]

So we will get a receipt from sex workers, cool I can put that in my returns as entertainment expenses.  

[soalbundy]

5 hours ago, bigt3116 said:

 

If you are paying tax, that would suggest you are working? If you are working then you should/could be registered for the social security scheme?

At years end we expats will be taxed on our pensions from abroad, I was referring to this unhappy state of affairs. Since we will be taxed without representation I think it only fair that we should have some of the welfare advantages enjoyed by Thais.