Bangkok: The People's Movement has taken a significant step towards enhancing workers' welfare by submitting two draft labor protection bills. The People's Party MPs introduced these drafts after the Cabinet failed to confirm them, aiming to bolster workers' rights and welfare.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sophon Saram, the President of the Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives, delegated Acting Lieutenant Sanh Piya, Head of the Political Coordination and Complaints Handling Group, to receive the drafts from Mr. Sia Champathong and Ms. Thanaporn Wijan, both Members of Parliament from the People's Party. The drafts, titled Labor Protection Act (Amendment No. ...) B.E. ...., are intended to address the inequalities present in the current labor laws and adapt to modern economic and social conditions.

This legislative push comes in response to the Cabinet's inaction on the proposed amendments. The drafts propose significant changes, such as reducing the maximum working hours to 40 hours per week, increasing weekly days off to two, and annual leave to 10 days. The legislation also seeks to eliminate employment discrimination and enhance welfare benefits, including provisions for postpartum mothers and leave for family care and menstrual pain.

The People's Party hopes for widespread support from MPs across the political spectrum to enact these laws, which they believe will significantly improve workers' quality of life. The proposed changes are expected to contribute to a steady and sustainable recovery of the Thai economy, benefiting both businesses and the nation.

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sanh Phiya mentioned that due to the Speaker's commitments at a House meeting, he was entrusted with the responsibility of receiving the drafts. The subsequent step involves dispatching the drafts to pertinent agencies for review before presenting the feedback to the Speaker for further proceedings.