Advocates underscore crux points of concern
Revised Base Article:
Over in Bangkok, Labour Day unfolded on a thunderous note last Thursday, as workers and activists rallied, demanding better work conditions and fairer treatment.
The crowd, adorned with signs and banners, paraded through the streets, bringing attention to urgent labor issues like fair wage adjustments and maternity leave compensation.
At the bustling Lan Khon Muang in front of City Hall, Panus Thailuan, president of Thailand's National Congress of Labour Workers, decode the nine-point plan aimed at improving workers' lives.
Notable proposals included the implementation of a law to create a job protection fund and the exemption of income taxes on severance pay in all cases. Furthermore, the minimum old-age pension is requested to be raised to at least 5,000 baht, and the Labour Ministry's regulations should be revised to guarantee that monthly salaried employees receive 1.5 times their wage for overtime work, equal to the rate granted to daily-wage employees.
Other demands included the promotion of the Labour Safety Division to the Department of Labour Safety and the formation of a working group under the Labour Ministry to monitor the progress of these demands.
Panus asserted that the most critical demand among these nine is the establishment of a job protection fund safeguarding workers from unjust dismissal and unpaid severance packages. This demand arose from repeated cases of employers dissolving their businesses without compensating their workforce, such as Yarnapund Public Co Ltd's 400 million baht debt owed to employees.
Accepting the proposals from labour representatives, the Labour Minister expressed sympathy and stated that the demands were being evaluated carefully. He pledged to push ahead with proactive policies, offering comprehensive support for both local and foreign workers, ensuring employment and income security.
Minister Phiphat emphasized that the ministry follows the principle of "everyone should have a job, skills, security, and a good quality of life."
In commemoration of Labour Day, the ministry organized various events for workers, including health check-ups, flu vaccinations, and a job fair boasting around 174,000 open positions.
Looking ahead, the NCTL's demands, initially put forward following the Labour Day rallies, continue to gain traction, though formal implementation by the government is still pending. As of May 2025, progress has been slow on multiple fronts, including the risk insurance fund, increased old-age pensions, overtime pay parity, labor safety department upgrades, and the formation of a task force monitoring the demands' progress.
Corporate resistance, policy prioritization, and inclusivity gaps remain challenges for labour advocates. Despite these hurdles, the NCTL remains steadfast in pushing for change, mobilizing workers and using the media to keep pressure on the government in the hope of securing a better future for Thailand's workforce.
- The Labor Minister in Bangkok, acknowledging the demands from labour representatives, assured that their proposals are under careful evaluation, with a promise to implement proactive policies for a fairer workplace.
- One of the key demands Jubilant Panus, president of Thailand's National Congress of Labour Workers, advocated for is the establishment of a job protection fund, aiming to shield workers from unjust dismissal and unpaid severance packages.
- In light of the demands put forward by the NCTL, the ministry has organized various events for workers, such as health check-ups, flu vaccinations, and a job fair, showcasing around 174,000 open positions.
- The general news is abuzz with the nine-point plan proposed by the NCTL, aimed at improving workers' lives, which includes notable aspirations like the exemption of income taxes on severance pay in all cases.
- As policy-and-legislation discussions revolve around fairer workplace policies, experts in the field of health-and-wellness and lifestyle believe that companies should prioritize workplace-wellness programs, emphasizing the importance of employee well-being and productivity.
- Despite corporate resistance, policy prioritization, and inclusivity gaps, labour advocates, spearheaded by the NCTL, remain resilient in their pursuit of change, utilizing media platforms to exert pressure and secure a better future for Thailand's workforce.
