International Workers' Day: Labor Groups Call on PM to Address Worker Rights, Fair Wages, and Oppose CARE Formula
About 500 workers marched to Government House on May 1 to demand fair wages, protection of labor rights, and rejection of the CARE formula, submitting their petition to Prime Minister Anutin's office.
On May 1, 2026, at Gate 5 of Government House on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, the State Enterprise Workers' Federation (SEWF) joined forces with the Thai Labor Reconciliation Committee (TLRC) and labor organization networks. Led by Neeranuch Jitsom, Deputy President of SEWF; Sawit Kaewwan, Advisor; Manop Kuerrat, Secretary-General of SEWF; and Lare Yupesukhh, Secretary-General of TLRC, approximately 500 workers marched to Government House to commemorate International Workers' Day 2026. They submitted a petition to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister through Nopphorn Bunyakaew, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Prasit Patangkaro, Inspector of the Department of Labor Welfare and Protection. Workers demanded the government address fair wage issues, halt labor rights violations, protect informal workers, and review social security fairness across all categories. They opposed the CARE formula deemed unfair to Section 33 insured workers, called for rights to collective bargaining under ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and demanded a halt to state enterprise and energy reforms driving up living costs. The labor inspector thanked the workers for their suggestions and accepted the petition for further action. Workers participated in a May Day circle dance and took commemorative photos before dispersing.
