On June 21, 2022, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin spoke about the progress of helping Daruma Sushi employees who were laid off. As soon as they heard the news, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the Ministry of Labour, were concerned about the employees. They assigned the Ministry of Labour to support the employees to receive benefits and protection under the law. The Labour Minister responded to that order and informed departments under the Ministry of Labour to inspect and expedite assistance immediately. The investigation found that Daruma Sushi was registered under the name of Daruma Suji Co., Ltd., with its head office located at 87 The Jas Ramintra Project, 2nd Floor, Room A 217, Lat Pla Khao Road, Anusawari Subdistrict, Bang Khen District, Bangkok. The company operates a Japanese restaurant with Mr. Metha Chasingsuk as a director. It has 71 employees working in Bangkok and nearby provinces, with 27 branches. On June 17, the branch manager announced the shop’s closure and dismissed employees. On June 20, 2022, labour inspectors from the Bangkok Labour Protection and Welfare Office Area 9 went to the head office but found no one. Therefore, they issued a letter inviting the employers to meet and provide the facts on June 27, 2022.
Mr. Suchart also spoke about the assistance from the Ministry of Labour. He said that the Social Security Office’s Head Office had registered insured persons for eight employees from the head office and 63 employees from the various branches. In total, there are 71 insured employees. Upon the termination of employment, those employees will be entitled to receive unemployment compensation at 50 percent of their wages for a period not exceeding 180 days. If there are employees at the head office that are not yet insured, the Social Security Office will require the employer to register for the insured persons and remit the contributions so that the employees are protected under the social security law.
If there is evidence of employment or having a legal employer-employee relationship, such as having a pay slip or other evidence, the employee shall be considered as an insured person, with rights to compensation, such as in the event of termination of employment. If there is evidence that the employee has worked for over six months, the employee may claim compensation in the event of unemployment. As for the contributions that the employer has not registered or contributed, the Social Security Office will follow up with the employer to take legal action. As for welfare assistance and labour protection, the fact that the employer does not allow the employees to work and does not pay wages due to the employer’s inability to continue the business is considered termination. Therefore, employees have the right to receive unpaid wages, wages in lieu of advance notice, and other compensation as agreed with the employer. Employees affected by the incident may apply for the KorRor. 7 and apply for subsidies from the Employee Welfare Fund to the Labour Inspector at the Labour Protection and Welfare Office in the area where the employee works. Employees can also call the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline, press 3 or 1546 for the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour and the Ministry of Labour’s spokesperson, Mrs. Bubpha Phanpeng, said that today, she was assigned by the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, to visit the area to clarify understanding of such issues regarding various benefits to employees. The branch manager brought 50 employees to apply for unemployment benefits at the Bangkok Social Security Office Area 8. In addition, the Bangkok Employment Office Area 3 has set up job applications. Over 1,000 vacancies are available in various business establishments, such as Central Retail and Thai Beverage, for employees to apply for jobs and provide initial alleviation from suffering.
Khun Anphat Piyasathitchot, the General Manager of Daruma Sushi, brought the 50 employees to apply for unemployment compensation. She said that she and the employees who came today would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Labour Minister for caring about the employees’ hardships and that they would never forget this kindness.
Source: Ministry of Labour