Labor Ministry to Overhaul Law, Bringing Platform Workers into Social Security System with New Provisions for Riders
Thailand's Labor Ministry plans to reform social security laws to include platform workers like food delivery riders, currently numbering over 300,000 and expected to reach 1 million within 3-5 years.
Labor Minister Chulphan Amornvivat announced plans to overhaul social security laws to bring platform workers and gig workers into the social security system with appropriate protections aligned to modern work arrangements.
Amornvivat stated that the rapid changes in the global economy, particularly the growth of e-commerce and food delivery platforms, have led to a continuous increase in rider workers. Currently numbering over 300,000 people, the minister projects this could reach 1 million within 3-5 years.
"The key challenge is how to ensure this workforce receives social security protections and benefits, as the labor market landscape has fundamentally changed and laws must adapt accordingly," Amornvivat said.
The Labor Ministry is currently consulting with rider groups, private platform operators, and studying international models for potential adaptation in Thailand. Amornvivat acknowledged that platform workers have unique characteristics distinct from traditional employees—for instance, a single rider may work for multiple platforms simultaneously and may not work full-time.
"A critical question is who would be considered the employer, as some countries have designated the food ordering customer as the employer, but we must study whether such a model would work in Thailand," Amornvivat explained.
Regardless of the approach taken, amendments to social security law will be necessary—either by modifying existing definitions or introducing new provisions specifically for platform workers.
"There are two concepts under consideration: incorporating them into existing provisions, or creating entirely new provisions specifically for platform workers, since their work structure is genuinely different," Amornvivat stated.
When asked if this means adding new categories of self-insured persons beyond the existing sections 33, 39, and 40, Amornvivat confirmed that the Labor Ministry has established a joint working group between political and administrative branches to study legislative approaches. No specific timeline has been set, though the ministry pledged to accelerate the process while soliciting input from all stakeholders.
"We cannot make unilateral decisions; we must engage with all parties—workers, platforms, and relevant agencies—to reach consensus," Amornvivat concluded.
