Bill advocating for the safeguard of independent contractors' rights
In a groundbreaking move, a draft law is being introduced by Chon Buri MP Satit Phueakpraphan and Bangkok MP Chaiyampawan Munphianjit of the Progressive Thai Party. The proposed bill aims to promote and provide legal and welfare protection for over 20 million freelance workers nationwide, who currently lack fair legal protections and serious state support.
These freelance workers generate more than 2.2 trillion baht for the economy annually, playing a crucial role in sustaining local economies. From market vendors and online sellers to food delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers, the freelance workforce is diverse and vast. It includes professions such as barbers, hairdressers, repairmen, electricians, artists, DJs, YouTubers, content creators, and many more.
The bill is about empowering the freelance workforce from the ground up. It gives freelance workers the right to form organizations, voice grievances, and demand their rights directly. Legal recognition of freelance unions or councils will be granted to enable collective bargaining and protection of common interests.
One of the key concerns addressed by the bill is the plight of food delivery riders. Many of these workers earn less than 30 baht net per delivery round and often work under extreme weather conditions. The bill aims to address issues such as accidents without insurance, low pay, and platform exploitation faced by these key examples of freelance workers.
The bill also seeks to shift power from platforms to the freelance workers themselves. It proposes the establishment of a Freelance Workers' Fund for skills development and career advancement loans. Furthermore, the bill aims to extend social security benefits to freelance workers under Section 33, currently only applicable to formal employees.
An hourly minimum wage system will be introduced to ensure fair compensation for freelance workers. The bill also emphasizes that the law would significantly impact fairness and security across all freelance professions.
However, there is currently no information available on who is leading the project to introduce this law for the promotion and protection of freelancers in Thailand, nor when this law will be proposed. Regardless, this bill is a step towards recognising and protecting the rights of the vast and valuable freelance workforce in Thailand.
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