SSO board poll could violate politics ban

The government has decided to stall the election of a new board for the Social Security Office (SSO) to avoid violating the regime’s ban on political activities, as well as push back the estimated three-billionbaht cost.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday if the election was allowed to proceed, it would defy the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) ban on political activities.

In an election, candidates vying for posts on the SSO board must campaign to lure support from the Social Security Fund (SSF) subscribers, he said, adding that there are also concerns over the cost.

He said Labour Ministry representatives have recommended that the NCPO issue an order authorising the current board to carry on its duty until the proposed amendment to the social security law is passed.

“They told me electing a new board is a time-consuming process and may cost as much as three billion baht. I told them the amount is too much for electing 14 board members and even if the sum is down to 100 million baht, it’s still a no for me,” he said.

Mr Wissanu insisted that would be no problem with current board continuing until the issue is settled, but also admitted that without a new board workers may feel their problems are not represented.

According to the deputy prime minister, the SSO board may now be appointed using a selection process, similar to that of the Senate where candidates are divided into groups and chosen by their peers.

The 2015 amendment to the Social Security Act says that 14 members of the SSO board must be elected. Of this number, half will represent the workers and the other half act on the employers’ behalf.

About 14 million SSF members nationwide would be expected to vote if an election of the SSO board is held.