NESDC pushes for digital platform worker protection law

Prachachat•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The NESDC is pushing for a new law to protect nearly 500,000 digital platform workers who currently lack employee status and social welfare.

•The NESDC is promoting the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act to provide welfare and bargaining power for platform workers.
•Digital platform workers in Thailand are expected to reach nearly 460,000 people in 2025.
•The digital service business value in Thailand is projected to grow from 310 billion baht in 2023 to 520 billion baht in 2027.
•The ILO will certify a convention on decent work in the platform economy in 2026.

Overview

•The NESDC reports that digital platform workers have currently increased to nearly 500,000 people.
•The value of digital service businesses in Thailand is expected to increase from 310 billion baht in 2023 to 520 billion baht in 2027.
•Platform workers face unstable income, health risks from working 10-12 hours per day, and limited bargaining power because they lack employee status.
•The NESDC identifies that algorithm-based work allocation, evaluation, and account suspension lack clarity, and customer rating systems affect job opportunities.
•The NESDC is pushing for the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act to define platform duties and encourage worker associations.
•The United Kingdom serves as an example of using existing labor laws where courts recognized Uber drivers as workers entitled to basic rights.
•The ILO is set to certify a convention on decent work in the platform economy in 2026.
•Danucha Pichayanan suggests Thailand adopt international guidelines to ensure transparency and social security for platform workers.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Danucha Pichayanan

"The government has begun developing protection mechanisms, such as pushing for the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act B.E. ... and establishing a subcommittee to study minimum compensation and benefits for platform workers."

ภาครัฐได้เริ่มพัฒนากลไกคุ้มครอง เช่น การผลักดันร่าง พ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมและคุ้มครองผู้ประกอบอาชีพอิสระ พ.ศ. …. และการจัดตั้งคณะอนุกรรมการศึกษาแนวทางกำหนดค่าตอบแทนและสิทธิประโยชน์ขั้นต่ำสำหรับผู้ทำงานบนแพลตฟอร์ม

Danucha Pichayanan

"Thailand should adopt such guidelines by accelerating the review and promotion of the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act, defining platform duties regarding transparency, and promoting worker associations to increase bargaining power and jointly determine appropriate protection measures."

ประเทศไทยควรนำแนวทางดังกล่าวมาปรับใช้ โดยเร่งทบทวนและผลักดันร่าง พ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมและคุ้มครองผู้ประกอบอาชีพอิสระ กำหนดหน้าที่ของแพลตฟอร์มด้านความโปร่งใส ตลอดจนส่งเสริมการรวมตัวของแรงงานเพื่อเพิ่มอำนาจต่อรองและร่วมกำหนดมาตรการคุ้มครองที่เหมาะสม

Key Entities

Organization

National Economic and Social Development Council(สภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)

An organization, also known as NESDC, pushing for the protection of digital platform workers.

NESDC(สภาพัฒน์)

The shortened name for the National Economic and Social Development Council.

Uberℹ️

A platform company whose drivers were recognized as workers by courts in the United Kingdom.

ILOℹ️

An international organization certifying a convention on decent work in the platform economy in 2026.

Person

Danucha Pichayanan(ดนุชา พิชยนันท์)

The Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council.

Law

Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act(พ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมและคุ้มครองผู้ประกอบอาชีพอิสระ)

A draft law being pushed by the government to protect and promote independent workers.

Place

United Kingdom(สหราชอาณาจักร)ℹ️

A country cited as an example for using courts to recognize Uber drivers as workers.