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Boost Labor Laws: More Holidays, Menstrual Leave; Process to Restart

Boost Labor Laws: More Holidays, Menstrual Leave; Process to Restart

Matichon•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai labor rights advocates are pushing for amendments to the Labor Protection Act to include reduced working hours, increased holidays, and menstrual leave, with the Minister of Labor expressing willingness to support the initiative, provided the legislative process restarts.

  • •Labor unions and a Member of Parliament submitted a petition to the Ministry of Labor urging the promotion of two draft labor protection laws.
  • •The proposed laws aim to reduce weekly working hours to 40, increase holidays, and grant leave for menstrual pain.
  • •Minister of Labor, Julaphan Amonvivat, stated support for the principles but indicated the legislative process must recommence due to the dissolution of parliament.
  • •The advocates emphasize the urgency of these laws for improving laborers' quality of life and livelihoods.

Overview

  • •On May 6 at 10:45 AM, Sia Jumpathong, an MP from the People's Party, and the Federation of Textile, Garment, and Leather Industry Unions submitted a letter to the Minister of Labor.
  • •The letter requested the Cabinet to consider two pending draft labor protection laws that stalled due to the dissolution of parliament.
  • •Sia Jumpathong stated that the two draft laws had passed the first reading and a special committee had been established for their consideration.
  • •The dissolution of parliament before the second reading of the bills caused them to be stuck in the legislative process.
  • •Thanapong Chueamuangpan, vice president of the textile union, stressed that the drafts represent the real lives of laborers and are crucial for their well-being amidst economic hardship.
  • •Minister Julaphan Amonvivat acknowledged the proposals and expressed readiness to establish a working group to discuss and draft new legislation.
  • •The Minister indicated that since the draft laws were not reaffirmed by the Cabinet for parliamentary review, the legislative process must start anew.
  • •The Ministry of Labor plans to form a working group to discuss proposals for maternity and menstrual leave, aiming to submit a draft law to the House of Representatives quickly.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Julaphan Amonvivat
"Regarding proposals for maternity or menstrual leave, we will establish a working group to discuss and jointly develop draft legislation to expedite submission to the House of Representatives, ensuring laws meet labor needs."
ทั้งนี้ ในเรื่องข้อเสนอการลาคลอดหรือการลาปวดประจำเดือนเราจะรับเข้ามาเพื่อตั้งคณะทำงานพูดคุยกัน และออกมาเป็นร่างกฎหมายร่วมกัน เพื่อนำส่งมาที่สภาผู้แทนราษฎรโดยเร็ว เพื่อให้ได้กฎหมายที่ตอบโจทย์แรงงาน
Julaphan Amonvivat
"But the process must start anew as the Cabinet did not bring it back for review."
แต่กระบวนต้องเริ่มนับหนึ่งใหม่ หลัง ครม.ไม่นำกลับมาทบทวน
Thanapong Chueamuangpan
"These two drafts are not just laws but the real flesh and blood of laborers' lives."
ร่างทั้ง 2 ฉบับไม่ใช่แค่กฎหมายแต่เป็นเลือดเนื้อชีวิตจริงของผู้ใช้แรงงาน

Key Entities

Person

Julaphan(จุลพันธ์)
Minister of Labor who stated readiness to support legislative changes for labor protection but noted the need to restart the process.
Mr. Sia Jumpathong(นายเซีย จำปาทอง)
Member of Parliament from the People's Party who, along with labor unions, submitted a petition to the Ministry of Labor.

Organization

Federation of Textile, Garment, and Leather Industry Unions of Thailand(สหพันธ์แรงงานอุตสาหกรรมสิ่งทอการตัดเย็บเสื้อผ้าและผลิตภัณฑ์หนังแห่งประเทศไทย)
Labor union that collaborates with MPs to advocate for enhanced labor protection laws.
People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)
Political party represented by MP Sia Jumpathong, advocating for labor rights.
Ministry of Labor(กระทรวงแรงงาน)
Government ministry responsible for labor affairs, whose Minister expressed support for new labor laws.
Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)
Government executive body that must reaffirm draft laws for parliamentary review, which did not happen for the discussed labor bills.

Law

Draft Labor Protection Act(ร่างกฎหมายคุ้มครองแรงงาน)
Proposed legislation aimed at reducing working hours, increasing holidays, and providing menstrual leave.
Labor Protection Act Draft for Rest Periods with Reduced Working Hours to Not Exceed 40 Hours Per Week and Increased Holidays(พ.ร.บ. คุ้มครองแรงงานคุ้มครองแรงงาน ฉบับมีเวลาพักผ่อนลดชั่วโมงทำงานเหลือไม่เกิน 40 ชั่วโมงต่อสัปดาห์และเพิ่มวันหยุด)
Specific draft labor law proposing reduced work hours and more holidays.
Labor Protection Act Draft for Human Dignity, Adding Leave Rights for Menstrual Days, and Providing Breast Pumping Spaces at Work(พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองแรงงานฉบับมีศักดิ์ศรีความเป็นมนุษย์ เพิ่มสิทธิวันลาในวันที่มีประจำเดือน และมีพื้นที่ปั๊มนมบุตรในที่ทำงาน)
Specific draft labor law advocating for menstrual leave and on-site breast pumping facilities.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)
The legislative body where draft laws are considered and where discussions on labor protection acts took place.