Labour of love: Minister fights for informal workers’ rights

Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is actively advocating for a legislative measure to enhance the protection and welfare of approximately 20 million informal workers, according to a statement from the ministry’s spokesperson.

The Labour Ministry is preparing to engage in discussions with the Cabinet’s secretary-general to determine the appropriate timeline for presenting the bill to the Cabinet for consideration.

Phumiphat Mueanchan highlighted that informal workers constitute a substantial portion of the workforce, yet they remain unrecognised by existing labour laws, rendering them susceptible to various challenges. These include exposure to work-related hazards and limited access to financial resources.

The proposed bill aims to address these vulnerabilities by closing existing loopholes and establishing protective mechanisms for this demographic.

The central focus of the bill is the mandatory registration of informal workers, such as delivery service riders, farmers, vendors, actors, digital content creators, and influencers. This registration is intended to enable the ministry to develop effective policies and allocate adequate budgets to support these workers.

Although specific cost details have not been disclosed, formal registration is expected to enhance the visibility of informal workers within the system, thereby improving the government’s ability to provide targeted assistance.

Phumiphat explained that the bill is designed to plug loopholes and ensure there are mechanisms to protect said workers.

In a bid to raise awareness about the bill, local community leaders and labour volunteers across the country have recently participated in a ministry-led initiative to promote the registration of informal workers.

This effort has garnered significant interest, with over 17,000 individuals expressing their intention to register. It is anticipated that up to nine million informal workers will register within the first year.

The bill was previously submitted to the Cabinet secretary’s office during the administration of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Following the appointment of PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, this and nine other labour-related bills were reaffirmed. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the bill will be forwarded to Parliament for further review.

The Council of State has reviewed the bill, which categorises informal workers into two distinct groups: self-employed individuals, such as farmers and vendors, and partly dependent workers, like delivery service riders.

Additionally, the bill proposes the establishment of a fund to provide support for informal workers, further underscoring the government’s commitment to improving their welfare, reported Bangkok Post.