Report Thai Labour Groups Demand Reform on Labour Day

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Labour day parade in Bangkok | Photo via Thai-Danish Chamber of Commerce

 

On Labour Day, Thai labour organisations have put forth nine pivotal demands aimed at improving workers’ rights and protections. Chief among these is the establishment of a risk insurance fund, deemed essential by Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour. This fund would serve to shield workers from unfair dismissals and unpaid severance in cases of business closures.

 

To create this fund, amendments to existing labour protection laws are proposed, requiring employer contributions to ensure compensation for employees when businesses shut down without settling dues.

 

A notable demand is the revision of Ministerial Regulation No. 7 from 1998, which currently stipulates a disparity in overtime pay rates between salaried and daily-wage workers. The Labour Ministry has recognised this issue and aims to amend the regulation by June, ensuring monthly salaried employees receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their wage, consistent with daily-wage workers.

 

Other critical demands include securing the right to association and collective bargaining, tax exemptions on lump-sum payments up to one million baht for dismissed employees, inclusion of state enterprise employees in the social security system, a minimum pension of 5,000 baht, lifetime healthcare for retirees, stricter enforcement of labour regulations, and improved worker safety standards.

 

 

 

Labour groups have also called for a task force to monitor the government’s progress in addressing these issues.

 

In tandem with these demands, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to protect the rights of all worker categories, including formal, informal, migrant, and gig economy workers. The NHRC cited ongoing concerns like wage theft and social security exclusion as pressing issues affecting these groups.

 

In Phuket, top officials are echoing the call for proper adherence to social security regulations, warning business owners of the legal and ethical implications of failing to register and contribute to the social security system. The Phuket Social Security Office emphasises the importance of these contributions as financial safeguards for workers.

 

The collective push from labour groups and human rights advocates reflects a growing demand for comprehensive reforms and protections to enhance the livelihoods and rights of workers across Thailand.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-01