Bangkok: Labour Minister Chulaphan Vivat has announced that the Cabinet has approved four significant labor laws aimed at improving welfare for seafarers, home-based workers, and state enterprise employees within the marriage equality group.

According to Thai News Agency, the Cabinet has endorsed two draft laws and four labour regulations proposed by the Ministry of Labour. These laws aim to close existing legal gaps and expand labor protection rights to cover diverse groups of workers, including those eligible for marriage equality. The amendments represent a crucial step towards developing a welfare system and labor standards that align with modern social conditions and employment patterns.

The newly approved amendments are categorized into three main groups. The first focuses on upgrading the welfare system for seafarers through amendments to the Maritime Labour Act. This includes requiring employers to enroll seafarers in the social security and compensation system, ensuring they receive seven types of benefits and protection in case of work-related accidents. Additionally, it prohibits the employment of crew members under 18 during nighttime hours, aligning with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention of 2006.

The second group expands protection for home-based workers through amendments to the Home-Based Work Protection Act. These changes address evolving work patterns in the digital age, covering industrial, commercial, agricultural, and service sectors. Importantly, the amendments set a minimum working age of 15 and impose penalties for employing children under 15, along with establishing fair compensation rates and increased penalties for employer payment defaults.

The third group acknowledges the rights of spouses of state enterprise employees under equal marriage principles. A draft announcement from the State Enterprise Labor Relations Committee aims to adjust employee benefits to align with the equal marriage law, ensuring equal rights to medical care, compensation, and funeral expenses for legally married couples of all genders, potentially benefiting over 12,000 individuals.

'Our goal is to close all legal loopholes and improve the welfare of all workers, including ensuring equal rights and protecting vulnerable groups such as youth, freelancers, and spouses of all genders. This is an important step for a Thai society that respects human dignity,' said Mr. Julaphan.