Thailand plans to help SMEs retain workers
- Claire Lee
Thailand’s Labour Ministry plans to launch a project to help SMEs retain their employees amid the pandemic.
“The project is aimed at promoting and maintaining employment at SMEs and strengthening their businesses, reducing financial burdens and boosting liquidity,” said Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin.
It is expected to help generate new jobs, maintain employment for workers employed by about 400,000 SMEs and subsidise the income of over four million Thai nationals under the Social Security Fund, he added.
The programme has since received an in-principle approval by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration, and will be presented for cabinet approval shortly, according to Bangkok Post.
Once the cabinet approves the programme, each eligible employee would receive 3,000 baht (US$88.7) per month from November to January, with payments being made on the last working day of each month, said the minister.
Businesses should maintain an employment rate of 95% throughout the duration of the programme, failing which would result in them not being eligible for subsequent subsidies.
READ: Thailand approves subsidies to help SMEs
After the programme receives cabinet approval, employers who wish to register for it can do so online, according to Employment Department director-general Pairoj Chotikasathien.
