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Private Sector Backs Welfare Card Rule Changes for Upskilling and Jobs

Private Sector Backs Welfare Card Rule Changes for Upskilling and Jobs

Matichon•Economy•22d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai private sector urges government to re-evaluate state welfare card eligibility, emphasizing upskilling and job creation for long-term self-sufficiency.

  • •Private sector representative Sangchai Theerakulwanich expressed support for revising the criteria for the State Welfare Card program.
  • •The focus should shift from short-term aid to long-term human development and job creation for cardholders.
  • •The proposal includes considering factors like tax deductions for children as part of eligibility criteria.
  • •Support for upskilling, reskilling, and entrepreneurship is recommended for working-age welfare recipients.

Overview

  • •On June 4, Sangchai Theerakulwanich, Chairman of the Strategy Committee of the SME Thai Confederation, stated that revising the welfare card criteria is good for more accurate and purposeful budget allocation.
  • •Nearly 14 million people, or about 20% of Thailand's population, currently hold State Welfare Cards, a notably high number.
  • •The government is urged to use the opportunity to review and clearly classify welfare recipients into those needing continuous support and those capable of self-development.
  • •Sangchai Theerakulwanich emphasized that state welfare cards should be instruments for human development enabling self-reliance.
  • •Working-age welfare cardholders and those ready for employment should receive support in skills development, vocational training, upskilling, and reskilling.
  • •The rationale for considering child tax deductions as an eligibility factor is that families with such capacity may not require state welfare.
  • •Sangchai Theerakulwanich also suggested that elderly individuals who can still work should be supported with job creation or income-generating activities.
  • •For elderly individuals unable to care for themselves or with health limitations, the state must provide appropriate care and welfare support.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Sangchai Theerakulwanich
"The government should view state welfare cards as more than short-term aid, but as a tool for human development, enabling cardholders to have jobs, careers, income, and self-reliance in the future."
อยากให้รัฐบาลมองบัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐเป็นมากกว่าการช่วยเหลือระยะสั้น แต่ต้องเป็นเครื่องมือในการพัฒนาคน ให้ผู้ถือบัตรสามารถมีงานทำ มีอาชีพ มีรายได้ และสามารถพึ่งพาตนเองได้ในอนาคต
Sangchai Theerakulwanich
"Regarding the criticism that parents using the 30,000 baht child tax deduction might be a condition for state welfare card eligibility, this is a reasonable approach."
ส่วนประเด็นที่มีการวิพากษ์วิจารณ์ว่า ผู้ที่มีบุตรและใช้สิทธิลดหย่อนภาษีบุตร 30,000 บาท อาจถูกนำมาใช้เป็นหนึ่งในเงื่อนไขพิจารณาสิทธิรับบัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐนั้น เห็นว่า เป็นแนวทางที่มีเหตุผล
Sangchai Theerakulwanich
"Elderly individuals still able to work should be encouraged in careers or income-generating activities, while those unable to help themselves or with health limitations still need state care and welfare support."
ผู้สูงอายุที่ยังสามารถทำงานได้ ควรได้รับการส่งเสริมอาชีพหรือกิจกรรมสร้างรายได้ ขณะที่ผู้สูงอายุที่ไม่สามารถช่วยเหลือตนเองได้ หรือมีข้อจำกัดด้านสุขภาพ รัฐยังจำเป็นต้องเข้าไปดูแลและจัดสวัสดิการรองรับอย่างเหมาะสม

Key Entities

Person

Sangchai Theerakulwanich(นายแสงชัย ธีรกุลวาณิช)
Chairman of the Strategy Committee of the SME Thai Confederation, who commented on the State Welfare Card program.

Organization

SME Thai Confederation(สมาพันธ์เอสเอ็มอีไทย)
An organization representing Thai small and medium-sized enterprises, whose representative commented on government policies.

Law

State Welfare Card(บัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐ)
A government welfare program in Thailand aimed at assisting low-income individuals.
Poor Person Card(บัตรคนจน)
An informal nickname for the State Welfare Card program.