SSO to review entitlements for domestic workers

The Social Security Office is looking to shake up the assistance it gives to domestic workers who fall outside the mandatory welfare scheme for labourers.

SSO secretary-general Kowit Sajjawiset said domestic workers are not insured under Section 33 of the Social Security Act, as they are exempted.

Speaking after a petition was filed by the Domestic Workers Network, Mr Kowit said domestic helpers are categorised as ordinary people’s employees whose work is not connected to businesses.

Mr Kowit said it is difficult to collect social security contributions from their employers since they work in private residences, not workplaces.

Mr Kowit said the SSO has taken steps to hire an educational institute to conduct a survey of domestic helpers in the country.

It will include their number, wages and benefits as well as what kind of assistance they want.

The study will be conducted for one year, starting from July, he said, adding random checks will be carried out on 2,000-3,000 domestic workers nationwide.

The information collected would help to decide whether the act should be amended to incorporate household workers into Section 33.

The SSO will consider whether Section 40 of the act, which covers selfemployed workers, should be improved to allow domestic helpers to be insured, Mr Kowit said.

Domestic helpers are now protected under the Ministerial Regulation 14 of the Labour Protection Act, making it compulsory for employers to ensure their welfare, including a minimum of one day off per week as well as sick leave and public holidays.

The Domestic Workers Network is ramping up calls for authorities to incorporate domestic workers into the welfare benefits under Section 33.

This would mean they would be entitled to medical insurance, statutory maternity pay, funeral pay and disability pay.