Health benefit gap deters the handicapped from job market

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok: –The authorities are mapping out ways to design a new package of health benefits in order to encourage people with physical disabilities to enter the job market.

At present, people with physical disabilities would not be entitled to certain health benefits if they are employed, said a senior labour official.

This is happening because of the gap between the social security scheme and the universal health care scheme.

The social security for workers has less coverage than the universal health care for the handicapped. The country is legislating to enact a new social security law.

Under the existing law, provisions are meant for able-bodied workers and for compensation to terminate employment for the handicapped.

Thailand has 1.6 million people with physical disabilities. Of the handicapped population, about 700,000 can work. But only 200,000 are employed.

For the past six months, the Labour Ministry has been campaigning to boost the job placements for the unemployed people with physical disabilities.

Some 400 to 500 handicapped have sought and received job placements.

Based on the six-month performance report, the ministry has assisted in the job placements for 224,587 unemployed people and in finding 45,087 job placements overseas.

For the second half of 2015, the ministry will strive to bring marginalised workers, such as the handicapped and the hill tribe people into the social security system.

In regard to alien workers, some 1.6 million migrants from neighbouring countries have registered with the ministry.

Of the total migrants, some 300,000 have been verified about their nationality. Workers with unverified nationality would be allowed a temporary stay for one year pending checks on documentation.

To facilitate the employment of legal migrant workers, the ministry has cut short the three-year gap to one month for legal migrants with expired visa to leave Thailand before reapplying for work visa.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Thailand is not the place you want to be handicap.

welcome news.

[soihok]

I know.

My eldest girl is severely mentally disabled, she ain't ever going to be able to work though.

Never knew Thailand had any universal health care for the disabled.

Anyone have any info on that?

[WitawatWatawit]

Soihok, maybe you should find time to visit the Social Security Office in Nonthaburi. I found the staff there to be first class and they will go out of their way to help you. If there's any state assistance due to you, they will let you know.

[soihok]

Thanks for the info.