The government is exploring a proposal to extend welfare protections to freelance workers, provided they declare their income and pay taxes. The move could offer benefits similar to those enjoyed by workers registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF).
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that discussions are underway with various agencies to create a welfare system aimed at protecting freelance workers such as tour guides, ride-hailing drivers, online content creators, and sex workers. This new system would allow them to claim medical and other welfare benefits, aligning their protections with those of SSF-registered employees.
However, Sorawong emphasized that in order to access these benefits, freelancers would need to declare their earnings and pay applicable taxes. This initiative follows consultations with representatives from civil and labour advocacy groups, who voiced their concerns about potential challenges in implementing such a system.
The Service Workers in Group Foundation (Swing) raised the issue of sex workers, noting their desire for welfare and legal protections while highlighting the difficulty many face in revealing their identities due to the sensitive nature of their work. Meanwhile, the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand stressed the importance of safeguarding freelance workers in the tourism sector, underscoring their economic contributions.
The insights gathered from these discussions will form the foundation for a bill that the government plans to introduce in the next parliamentary session, aiming to provide comprehensive welfare coverage to freelance workers across various sectors.
