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**9Goarveboofe** · 05-09-2008, 12:01 AM

SOCIAL SECURITY

Health benefits cover now extended to informal sector

PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN

Taxi drivers, labourers and actors queue at the Social Security Office yesterday to register for benefits. For the first time, the office has extended coverage to workers in the informal sector.
Social security coverage is now available to the 23 million workers in the informal sector for the first time. In return for an annual payment of 3,360 baht, workers will be entitled to benefits covering child delivery, disability and death.

Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong yesterday unveiled a social security package for workers in the informal sector, which includes people working from home, contract farmers, street vendors, scavengers and labourers.

The Social Security Office (SSO) chose taxi drivers, whose number nearly 70,000, for its three-month pilot programme because a database of taxi drivers already exists. Drivers must be members of taxi driver associations or cooperatives.

Other informal workers yesterday went to the SSO to register. Their coverage will take effect in the next six months.

Mrs Uraiwan said insured workers who have been members for at least nine consecutive months can collect a child delivery benefit of 3,000 baht for up to two births.

In case of disability, insured workers are covered for medical treatment costs up to 1,000 baht a month and compensation of half their daily minimum wage if they have been members for 36 months.

A relative of an insured worker who dies can collect a maximum of 100 times the insured's daily minimum wage, on the condition the insured is between 15 and 60 years old and did not suffer from certain diseases.

Natputtipong Gitsali, a director of the Bangkok Taxi and Tricycle Association, said taxi drivers believed the benefits were too meagre.

They want free medical treatment.

Taxi drivers are already covered by the 30-baht universal health care scheme.

Mrs Uraiwan said social security conditions would be adjusted once the office has more information about its members in the informal sector.

SSO secretary-general Surin Jiravisit said the office would try to amend Article 40 of the Social Security Act this year to widen the benefits.

The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) led by vice-president Sawit Kaeowan yesterday petitioned the Asean Labour Ministers' meeting in Bangkok, demanding workplace safety, fair wages and protection for foreign and informal labourers.

''The agenda focuses on decent work which often focuses on trade and investment. We want to see more attention given to labour rights,'' he said

Bangkok Post

05-09-2008, 12:01 AM	#1
9Goarveboofe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 481 Senior Member	Health benefits cover now extended to informal sector SOCIAL SECURITY Health benefits cover now extended to informal sector PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN Taxi drivers, labourers and actors queue at the Social Security Office yesterday to register for benefits. For the first time, the office has extended coverage to workers in the informal sector. Social security coverage is now available to the 23 million workers in the informal sector for the first time. In return for an annual payment of 3,360 baht, workers will be entitled to benefits covering child delivery, disability and death. Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong yesterday unveiled a social security package for workers in the informal sector, which includes people working from home, contract farmers, street vendors, scavengers and labourers. The Social Security Office (SSO) chose taxi drivers, whose number nearly 70,000, for its three-month pilot programme because a database of taxi drivers already exists. Drivers must be members of taxi driver associations or cooperatives. Other informal workers yesterday went to the SSO to register. Their coverage will take effect in the next six months. Mrs Uraiwan said insured workers who have been members for at least nine consecutive months can collect a child delivery benefit of 3,000 baht for up to two births. In case of disability, insured workers are covered for medical treatment costs up to 1,000 baht a month and compensation of half their daily minimum wage if they have been members for 36 months. A relative of an insured worker who dies can collect a maximum of 100 times the insured's daily minimum wage, on the condition the insured is between 15 and 60 years old and did not suffer from certain diseases. Natputtipong Gitsali, a director of the Bangkok Taxi and Tricycle Association, said taxi drivers believed the benefits were too meagre. They want free medical treatment. Taxi drivers are already covered by the 30-baht universal health care scheme. Mrs Uraiwan said social security conditions would be adjusted once the office has more information about its members in the informal sector. SSO secretary-general Surin Jiravisit said the office would try to amend Article 40 of the Social Security Act this year to widen the benefits. The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) led by vice-president Sawit Kaeowan yesterday petitioned the Asean Labour Ministers' meeting in Bangkok, demanding workplace safety, fair wages and protection for foreign and informal labourers. ''The agenda focuses on decent work which often focuses on trade and investment. We want to see more attention given to labour rights,'' he said Bangkok Post
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