Bangkok: A one-year proposal has been initiated to verify the employment status of riders, potentially allowing them to enter Section 33 of the Thai Social Security Act. The aim is to provide protection for platform workers by recognizing them as "employees" rather than informal workers.
According to Thai News Agency, a Thammasat University scholar emphasized the importance of this initiative, suggesting that the classification of platform workers should follow ICSE-18 principles. This change could enable workers to access rights and benefits through integration into Section 33 of the social security system. The government announced on May 22, 2026, that this initiative should be achieved within a year to provide legal labor protections and welfare for platform workers and riders.
Associate Professor Dr. Kritsada Teerakosalapong from the Faculty of Social Work at Thammasat University highlighted that classifying platform workers as "employees" is a realistic step. This reclassification would allow them to receive work-related rights and benefits. Platform workers, including riders and cleaning staff, who are hired through applications, are considered non-independent workers, thereby fulfilling the criteria for employee status.
Dr. Kritsada pointed out that the current classification as informal workers prevents platform workers from accessing proper employment rights. Instead, they receive voluntary insurance under Section 40, which lacks employer contributions. Correct classification would mandate contributions from platform companies, ensuring fair welfare rights.
Following the verification of employment status, the government and the Ministry of Labour should develop regulations to extend labor protection to platform workers, aligning with the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998). Additionally, the legislation should cover both physical and online platform work, without relying on the Ministry's draft Act on the Promotion and Protection of Independent Workers, which could misclassify employment status.
Dr. Kritsada also suggested that the Ministry of Labour should consider the EU Platform Work Directive as a model for expanding labor protection for platform workers. The directive requires EU member states to enact legislation by December 2, 2026, to define the employment status of platform workers clearly.
Once verified as employees, riders and platform workers would immediately become insured under Section 33. The Ministry of Labour and the Social Security Office should implement a consistent social security system by considering criteria such as working hours and requiring platform companies to participate in the compensation fund due to the high-risk nature of rider work.
In addition to addressing the employment status, Dr. Kritsada urged the government to tackle other issues concurrently, including protection against work-related injuries, establishing wage standards, ensuring income security, expanding retirement savings, and enhancing workers' rights through unions and collective bargaining mechanisms.