Julapan explains the reason for postponing the collection of contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund by another six months to alleviate the burden on private sector and entrepreneurs currently facing crises, while expediting the issuance of ministerial regulations to close gaps in "contracted service employment."
On 1 October 2026, Julapan Amornwiwat, Minister of Labour, posted on Facebook that he had the opportunity to respond to a general question from MP Sia Champathong of the People's Party regarding issues of discrimination and labor rights violations against subcontracted workers and contracted service employment within government agencies—issues he and the Ministry of Labour are closely monitoring and prioritizing.
He summarized the key points he explained to the parliament as follows:
1. Enhancing proactive strict inspections of subcontracted workers.
While subcontracting provides economic flexibility, it must not become a loophole allowing employers to violate labor rights, especially regarding wage payments. In fiscal year 2026, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has randomly inspected over 1,400 establishments, found irregularities in 569, and ordered corrective actions as well as imposed fines in more than 160 cases.
“We will not only rely on employers’ reports (Form Kor.11) but will send officers for in-depth inspections, reviewing contracts, regulations, and welfare provisions, especially in the five dense industrial provinces (Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Rayong, Ayutthaya, and Chachoengsao). There are also direct complaint channels via hotline 1506 and the Ministry of Labour’s Traffy Fondue platform to provide immediate assistance.”
2. Accelerating issuance of ministerial regulations to close loopholes in "government contracted service employment." Julapan noted that budget constraints have led the government to use contracted services; however, if actual work is supervised similarly to permanent employees, these workers must receive fair basic rights. The Ministry of Labour is currently conducting public hearings on draft ministerial regulations under the amended Labour Protection Act of December 2025, requiring government agencies to provide compensation, holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, and rest time not less than those mandated by labor law to ensure genuine equality.
Additionally, as previously announced, contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund were to begin on 1 October 2026. Today, using the parliamentary forum, he clarified to the public and all MPs that due to the current flood crisis causing damage and exacerbating economic conditions, the government is considering postponing the collection of contributions by about six months to ease and reduce burdens on the private sector and entrepreneurs currently facing hardship.
However, he firmly reaffirmed the original intent that the government remains committed to establishing a safety net and a solid guarantee for all workers. The process of collecting contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund will proceed as soon as possible without delay.