The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is likely to proceed today with a debate on a draft amendment to the social security law despite calls from labour groups that they be given more say.
Activists led by National Congress of Thai Labour president Manas Kosol on Thursday submitted a petition to the NLA asking it to delay the bill's first reading. They are worried the government-sponsored bill lacks input from workers.
They also argue the bill fails to address moves intended to make the Social Security Office (SSO) an independent agency, guarantee its transparency, ensure social and medical welfare for all workers, and allow for flexible management of the Social Security Fund (SSF).
The SSO is responsible for the management of 1.1 trillion baht in the SSF. About 10 million workers contribute part of their salaries into the fund each month to give themselves social security cover.
Labour inspector-general Kowit Satjawiset said the bill is mainly designed to increase benefits for SSF members and ensure accountability of the SSO board members by requiring them to declare their assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
However, as a board oversees such a large fund, activists want worker representatives on the SSO board, not just government appointees.
Addressing the critics' concerns, NLA vice-president Surachai Liangboonlertchai said the NLA would invite all stakeholders to join the scrutiny process if the bill passes its first reading today.
He said the NLA is unable to withdraw the draft, as it is a government-sponsored bill — among 38 earmarked for "urgent consideration" by the NLA.
Labour academics spoke out against the bill at a seminar on Wednesday.
Bundit Thanachaisetthawut, a labour specialist, said concerns are growing because the proposed bill has not been widely seen and discussed.
He said public input which went into drafting the bill was collected in 2007 and could be obsolete by now.
The number of SSF contributors has increased over the years
Sunee Chaiyaros, a member of the Law Reform Committee, backed moves for the SSO to be an independent agency.
The SSO comes under the Labour Ministry and is restricted by bureaucratic regulations, she said.
Pisit Lee-atham, a member of the National Reform Council (NRC), said the NRC would do its best to address critics' concerns.
Labour Minister Surasak Karnjanarat said the bill would go ahead as it had been stalled for some time.
However, he said a committee would be formed to work with the labour representatives to make changes to the bill as it is vetted by the NLA.