The Social Security Office launched the nationwide social security program for freelance workers, second phase (Bangkok/Metropolitan area), progressing to establish social security for informal and freelance laborers.
On 19 Feb, Ms. Nantinee Sapsiri, Efficiency Consultant of the Social Security Office (SSO), stated that on 18 Feb, Ms. Kanjana Phulkaew, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, assigned her to preside over the opening of the second phase of the nationwide social security program for freelance workers (Bangkok/Metropolitan area) at Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit Hotel, Pathum Thani Province. The event was attended by Ms. Narumon Boonmee, Director of the Office for Strengthening Security for Informal Workers, executives from the Social Security Office, social security offices of Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi, as well as directors from Bangkok areas 1-12, insured persons, and social security network representatives from Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
The Social Security Office is committed to building inclusive and appropriate social security for all people of every age, gender, and group, to accommodate rapid changes in an aging society context. It is essential to prioritize secure life guarantees, especially for informal or freelance workers, who are key drivers of the national economy but still lack access to social security. Currently, the office protects 24.86 million insured persons nationwide, divided into 13 million under Section 33, 1.6 million under Section 39, and 11 million under Section 40. Continuous campaigns, promotions, and public relations have been conducted to raise awareness and understanding of benefits among freelance workers, emphasizing life security.
Ms. Nantinee added that the program's objective is to increase knowledge and understanding of Social Security Act Section 40 benefits, which cover income loss due to illness, disability, death, old age, and child support. It also aims to motivate freelance workers to recognize the importance of building life security for better quality of life for themselves and their families. This second phase attracted 200 participants, including freelance workers, social security network members, labor volunteers, labor graduates, and the general public from Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, and Bangkok. The positive response reflects growing awareness among informal workers of the importance of securing their livelihoods. The Social Security Office invites freelance workers who have not yet registered under Section 40 to join the program to gain protection and long-term security for themselves and their families.