BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has issued a warning to employers after the Social Security Office (SSO) found that thousands of businesses failed to register or deregister employees on time, potentially jeopardizing workers’ access to benefits. Between October and December 2024, 32,604 establishments nationwide were identified as missing required deadlines, affecting more than 140,000 insured individuals.
According to the Ministry of Labor, delays in registration or termination reporting can lead to serious consequences. These include delays in benefit payments, inaccurate medical claims, and unnecessary compensation payouts from the SSO. In response, all 138 SSO offices have been instructed to issue summonses to the employers involved, requiring them to provide formal explanations.
Among the common causes for non-compliance are workers resigning without notifying their employer and employers failing to register new hires while continuing to submit social security contributions. Seventeen employers have already been fined, with penalties totaling over 200,000 baht.
Under the law, new employees must be registered within 30 days of starting work, and employers are required to report terminations by the 15th day of the following month. To simplify the process and avoid errors, the SSO now offers an online e-Service system through its website, www.sso.go.th.
The government is urging all employers to ensure compliance to protect employee rights and avoid legal or financial penalties. Additional support and information are available from local SSO offices or the 1506 hotline, which operates around the clock. (NNT)
