The Thai Labor Ministry is preparing to introduce legislation to support and protect the country’s estimated 20 million freelance workers in various professions, such as farming, vending, transportation, and food services. The proposed bill, expected to be presented to the Cabinet soon and subsequently to the House of Representatives, includes measures to formally register freelancers and encourage them to establish groups or associations.
Key features of the bill include creating a revolving fund for issuing soft loans and providing life and health insurance to freelance workers. The legislation also seeks to define what constitutes a freelance worker formally.
In a move to bolster the freelancers’ economic stability, Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has initiated a policy labeled “one tambon, one group of freelance workers,” promoting the formation of groups within each sub-district. The organization has been tasked with improving freelancers’ access to social security benefits and financial aid.
The Labor Ministry also plans to collaborate with the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the Tourism and Sports Ministry to help identify and develop labor and product markets suitable for freelance workers, enhancing their employment opportunities and market access. (NNT)
