Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election

The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period.

Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with additional time to choose their preferred candidates. He expressed optimism that this extension would prompt both employers and employees to participate in the voting process.

The Social Security Office (SSO) secretary-general, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, revealed that the election has been scheduled for December 24. The key objective is to allow SSF members and employers to each select seven representatives to sit on the board.

Established under the 2015 Social Security Act, the board serves as an intermediary between the government and the SSF in managing one of the largest funds in the nation, with a staggering 2.3 trillion baht at its disposal.

Legally, the board is composed of representatives from numerous ministries, including labour, finance, interior, and public health, in addition to the Budget Bureau, employers, and employees. While previously controlled by labour unions and appointees of the now-disbanded National Council for Peace and Order, this election offers SSF members and employers the opportunity to elect seven representatives each for the board.

Out of the 24 million fund members regulated under Sections 33, 39, and 40 of the Social Security Act, over 12 million are eligible to vote in this election, along with 440,000 employers across the country, reported Bangkok Post.

Eligibility

Boonsong noted that, based on the number of eligible voters, this election is second only to General Elections for Parliament members. However, expats and members who have been contributing to the fund for less than three months before the election date are excluded from voting, as are those who have been Social Security members for less than six consecutive months.

Boonsong further added that aspiring candidates have until today to register on the SSO website or at either the Bangkok SSO offices or the provincial SSO offices, with the cutoff time set at 4.30pm.