Cabinet to extend social security cover to farm, street, domestic workers

Domestic violence laws will also be strengthened A noodle vendor serves customers beneath Rama 7 Bridge in Bang Phlat district, Bangkok. The Labour Ministry will propose expanding social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Labour Ministry will propose an expansion of social security coverage under Section 33 to include agricultural workers, street vendors and domestic workers.Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat said before going into Tuesday's cabinet meeting he would submitted two proposals for approval. The first concerns Thailand’s participation in the Global Coalition for Social Justice, an initiative launched by the director-general of the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 400 academic institutions have joined the network. Mr Julapun said Thailand was now ready, and he would seek cabinet approval to join the coalition with the aim of reducing inequality, promoting labour rights and advancing sustainable development. The second proposal was for a royal decree to expand Social Security Office coverage under Section 33 of the Social Security Act. The move is intended to include occupational groups currently exempt from compulsory social security protection, the Pheu Thai Party leader said. The three groups proposed for inclusion are employees engaged in agriculture, forestry and livestock farming; workers employed by street vendors and hawkers and domestic workers, including housekeepers Once the decree was approved by the cabinet, reviewed by the Council of State and published in the Royal Gazette there would be a transition period, understood to be 180 days based on the council's recommendation. After that, workers in the three groups would be eligible to enter the social security system, with contributions made by employers, employees and the state to provide greater financial security, said Mr Julapun. - Domestic violence - The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security would propose amendments to the Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act to ensure the law covers all forms of abuse, said Mr Julapun, whose party oversees the ministry. The proposed amendments would expand the definition of domestic violence from three dimensions to four - physical, psychological, sexual and economic abuse. They would also introduce measures aimed at ensuring victims receive swift protection and assistance. Officials would be given clearer authority to provide assistance, while cooperation among government agencies would be strengthened to ensure fair and standardised enforcement. Importantly, domestic violence cases would become non-compoundable offences, meaning that the cases could not be settled through compromise. Penalties would be set at appropriate and proportionate levels, taking into account the severity of the violence and the victims' circumstances. Harsher penalties would apply in cases involving repeated offences or violence against children (under 18). The amendments would also establish a continuously updated database of domestic violence cases, creating a mechanism aligned with international standards and providing a clearer legal framework. Mr Julapun said the government was giving more importance to the issue, poining out that domestic violence was common in Thai society. The proposed legislation would help ensure that Thai families could live with greater confidence and safety, he said.