Bangkok: 'Chulaphan' aims to overhaul the "entertainment workforce," tackling issues of working hours and unpaid wages. 'Chulaphan' announces collaboration with the creative media industry network to overhaul the entertainment workforce, limiting filming hours to no more than 12 hours and addressing issues of unpaid wages. He emphasizes that freelance workers should receive protection and welfare benefits.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, announced the cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and the creative media industry network following the signing of a memorandum of understanding to certify vocational training courses. He stated that the Ministry of Labour has been continuously consulting with the Thai Film Directors Association, the Thai Actors Association, and a network of media production entrepreneurs after observing significant changes in the structure of creative media production. The emergence of platforms and foreign investment has led to increased diversity and complexity in employment patterns. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt the labor protection system to reflect the current situation.
Mr. Chulaphan stated that the first priority will be to upskill and reskill personnel in the industry. The Department of Skill Development will organize training courses and issue professional certificates that can be used to verify skills both domestically and internationally, thereby increasing job opportunities and raising the income of workers. Another important issue is addressing long working hours. It's acknowledged that many film crew members currently work more than 16 hours a day, including actors, production crew, lighting technicians, set designers, and other behind-the-scenes staff, which negatively impacts their health and safety.
The Ministry of Labour will establish a working group with representatives from the industrial sector to consider issuing ministerial regulations or announcements related to setting appropriate working hour standards. Initially, the idea is to limit it to approximately 12 hours per day, but this needs further discussion and a study of the impact on the manufacturing sector. There is no clear timeframe for enacting the legislation, Mr. Julaphan said.
Mr. Chulaphan stated that although many workers in the creative media industry are freelancers, the Ministry of Labour believes that everyone should receive appropriate welfare and social security protection. The ministry is also studying ways to improve the social security system to better support this group of workers, including healthcare, unemployment protection, and retirement income security.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to educate industry professionals about employment contracts, following the discovery of numerous problems arising from accepting projects without proper contracts, leading to defaults on wage payments, fraud, and disputes. This seminar will therefore provide a platform for experts in labor law and entertainment law to share knowledge on contract drafting, claiming rights, and legal protection channels.
Although famous actors may not be significantly affected, there are still many supporting actors and behind-the-scenes workers who lack job security. Therefore, we are ready to support the implementation of various measures to achieve tangible results in order to raise the labor standards of the entire Thai entertainment industry, said Mr. Julaphan.
Regarding this, Mr. Chukiart Sakveerakul, President of the Thai Film Directors Association, stated that the association has continuously received complaints from workers in the industry about unpaid wages, overtime work, and a lack of knowledge about their rights when contracts are violated. Especially for small-time workers who are owed only tens of thousands of baht in unpaid wages, but whose income is crucial for their livelihood, this collaboration is seen as an important starting point in improving the quality of life for workers in this sector.