NESDC Pushes for Platform Worker Protection Laws

Khaosod•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The National Economic and Social Development Council is advocating for legal protections and minimum wage standards for platform workers in Thailand.

•Danucha Pichayanan of the NESDC highlighted the lack of employee status for platform workers, leading to unstable income and limited bargaining power.
•The digital service business value in Thailand is expected to grow from 310 billion baht in 2023 to 520 billion baht in 2027.
•The Thai government is pushing for the Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act and establishing a subcommittee for minimum compensation.
•The International Labour Organization (ILO) will certify a convention on Decent Work in Platform Economy in 2026.

Overview

•The digital service business value in Thailand is projected to increase from 310 billion baht in 2023 to 520 billion baht in 2027.
•In 2025, the platform business sector is expected to support nearly 460,000 workers.
•Platform workers face unstable income, health risks from working 10-12 hours per day, and limited bargaining power because they lack employee status.
•The Thai government is pushing the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act and has set up a subcommittee to study minimum compensation and benefits.
•The United Kingdom serves as an example of using existing labor laws to recognize Uber drivers as workers to grant them basic rights.
•The International Labour Organization (ILO) will certify a convention on Decent Work in Platform Economy in 2026.
•Danucha Pichayanan suggests Thailand accelerate the Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act and define platform transparency requirements.

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Key Quotes

Danucha Pichayanan

"The government has begun developing protection mechanisms, such as pushing 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 adapt such guidelines by accelerating the review and push of the draft Independent Occupational Promotion and Protection Act, defining platform duties regarding transparency, and promoting labor collective action to increase bargaining power and jointly determine appropriate protection measures."

ประเทศไทยควรนำแนวทางดังกล่าวมาปรับใช้ โดยเร่งทบทวนและผลักดันร่าง พ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมและคุ้มครองผู้ประกอบอาชีพอิสระ กำหนดหน้าที่ของแพลตฟอร์มด้านความโปร่งใส ตลอดจนส่งเสริมการรวมตัวของแรงงานเพื่อเพิ่มอำนาจต่อรองและร่วมกำหนดมาตรการคุ้มครองที่เหมาะสม

Key Entities

Person

Danucha Pichayanan(ดนุชา พิชยนันท์)

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

Organization

National Economic and Social Development Council(สภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)

An organization, also known as NESDC or Saphaphat, advocating for platform worker protections.

Uberℹ️

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

International Labour Organization(ILO)ℹ️

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

Law

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

A draft act being pushed by the Thai government to protect independent workers.

Place

United Kingdom(สหราชอาณาจักร)ℹ️

A country mentioned for its legal approach in recognizing Uber drivers as workers.