DISABLED FUND SET FOR TALKS

>> The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has agreed to negotiate with the Finance Ministry over the latter’s order for a return of surplus of the revolving fund for people with disabilities to state coffers.

The move is in response to Disabilities Thailand’s petition opposing the transfer of 2 billion baht back to the treasury out of concern that it would deprive the disabled of services and support they need.

The petition was lodged with the ministry’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities after the civic organisation learned that a subcommittee on management of the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities agreed to return 2 billion baht to state coffers.

According to reports, the subcommittee resolved that a total of 2 billion baht in excess liquidity would be returned to the state.

The return would be made in three instalments of 500 million baht, 1 billion baht, and 500 million baht.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Anantaporn Kanjanarat said the petition has been reviewed by authorities.

According to the minister, employers are paying less money into the fund, intended to help the jobless disabled, as more disabled people are finding jobs. If the cash reserve in the fund continues to drop, it may not be able to function in the future.

Under Section 35 of the law on promotion and development of people with disabilities, companies do not have to contribute to the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities if they employ people with disabilities.

Earlier, Suchart Owatwunasakul, chairman of Disabilities Thailand, had voiced opposition to the transfer of the excess liquidity to the treasury and called on the department not to proceed until the Administrative Court ruled on the dispute.

In late January last year, the organisation filed a lawsuit with the court challenging the Finance Ministry’s call for the return of surplus from revolving funds set up by the state and the case was still pending in judicial review, he said.

According to Mr Suchart, the revolving fund for people with disabilities was likely to get smaller because the registered number of people with disabilities had increased while contributions to the fund were falling.

He insisted that forcing the department to return the surplus to the national budget would undermine the fund’s stability.