People’s Party endorses Labor Act Amendments to increasing  holidays, Maternity leave, Shorter hours, While Kla Tham pushes Law to protect freelance workers and  improve nationwide quality of life

(SAP News - Punyaphon Rakcharoen)

On September 18, 2025, at the Parliament Building, Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, a party-list MP for the People's Party, and Mr. Sia Champathong, a member of the People's Party, received a letter from Mr. Nantiwat Omsin, a representative of the Labor Network for Peoples Rights and his team, supporting the draft Labor Protection Act.

Photo:Teeravoot Sion via SAP NEWS

Mr. Nantiwat remarked that the labor network and civil society sector support the two draft acts:

1. The Labor Protection Act, which reduces labor hours from six to five days per week.

2. The Labor Protection Act promotes human dignity.   The proposal intends to modernize the legislation and improve the quality of life for workers throughout the nation.

He highlighted the opposition's support, noting that it not only protects their legal rights, but also indicates that the opposition in Parliament is more than just that, but an actual advocate for working people over the country. Mr. Pakornwut remarked that labor protection is a policy that has been promoted since the Move Forward Party. He emphasized that the people shouldn't be asking for it, but that the government should care for and protect them. Working hours that are acceptable for workers' mental well-being will result in more productive work. Labor protection is about more than just safeguarding workers it's also about creating a more efficient economic structure for the future

Photo:Teeravoot Sion via SAP NEWS

Next, Mr. Bandit Panwiset, coordinator of the Network for Labor Protection Law Amendments, and a group of eight other organizations submitted a petition requesting that the Labor Protection Act 1968 be amended to protect mothers' rights and workers' human dignity.   Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, Leader of the Opposition for the People’s Party, accepted the petition.

Photo:Teeravoot Sion via SAP NEWS

The concepts include equal employment, non-discrimination, menstruation leave not considered sick leave, and workplaces providing breastfeeding facilities with standard equipment.   Work hours cannot exceed 30 hours per week, and employees must have at least two days off every week. A special committee will be formed, consisting of labor and civil society representatives involved in the draft legislation, to participate in the deliberation process and guarantee that workers' concerns are represented.

According to Mr. Natthaphong, the People’s Party has always prioritized workers' rights and welfare.   The proposed law is very likely to pass in time for this parliamentary session.   They are ready to collaborate to enhance the rights of all workers.

Mr. Satira Phuekpraphan, MP for Chonburi from the Kla Tham Party, and Mr. Chaiyam pawan Manphienchit, Bangkok MP for the Thai Progressive Party, then unveiled the words of the Independent Workers' Protection Act.   Mr. Sathira claimed that independent workers are a vital driver of the Thai economy, contributing more than 2.2 trillion baht in annual earnings.   Nonetheless, they have historically been denied proper official protection.   This includes vendors, internet sellers, hairdressers, artists, food delivery drivers, and shuttle drivers, all of whom contribute to the economy and earn money around the country.

Furthermore, the Act states that independent workers are entitled to social security under Section 33 to ensure justice in employment. This also helps freelancers to set up their own unions to represent them in talks and preserve their shared goals.

Photo:Teeravoot Sion via SAP NEWS

Mr. Chaiyamphon remarked that this act will be a significant step toward ensuring the security and dignity for freelance workers in all sectors across the country.   In the event of an accident or illness, there is no protection, and they are sometimes forced to labor in the sun or rain, with pay that does not represent reality.   This is why the Independent Workers' Act is so essential.

Photo:Teeravoot Sion via SAP NEWS

This Act will make it possible for freelance workers to form organizations to express their concerns and demand their rights.   This will be a "bottom-up" paradigm of power, as opposed to the previous system, which denied workers the ability to properly organize.

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