BANGKOK, THAILAND – A new analysis revealed that more than 40 million workers in Thailand were trapped in low-paid, insecure jobs, prompting experts to call for immediate political action.
Forum exposes scale of precarious work
At a forum held at Thammasat University, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and a network of more than 50 organisations presented stark data on employment conditions. For millions, the reality was inadequate health care, minimal social protection and a constant life in uncertainty.
“Labour laws lag far behind reality,”
said experts in a unanimous criticism.
Older workers hit hardest by insecure jobs
The forum highlighted that a growing number of older workers were particularly affected. Already, more than 20% of informally employed people were aged 60 or older, underscoring the vulnerability of an ageing workforce.
Four reform demands to political parties
The expert alliance put four concrete measures before political parties, to be implemented before the next election. First, the legal definition of an “employee” needed urgent modernisation to include new forms of work such as platform jobs. Second, rights and benefits had to be aligned with actual working conditions, and third, health promotion was to be massively expanded.
Why the current system fails millions
Asst. Prof. Krissada Teerakosolpong of Thammasat University explained that economic, technological and demographic change had outpaced outdated laws. The result was low incomes, no bargaining power and constant existential anxiety for a large share of the population, with an ageing society further intensifying the crisis.
Demographic warning for the next 20 years
Poranee Pupprasert of ThaiHealth warned that the number of people over 60 would rise by 32% within 20 years.
“The current system is not prepared for this,”
said Pupprasert, stressing that existing structures could not cope with the looming demographic shift.
Election turns into test of labour commitments
The organisers framed the upcoming election as a decisive turning point, saying labour rights must finally move to the top of the political agenda. The future of millions of families dependent on precarious jobs was at stake, while the fourth demand sought to support voluntary extensions of working hours, but only under fair conditions.
Political stakes for 40 million workers
The message to parties was clear: whoever wanted the votes of these 40 million people had to present concrete and feasible plans to protect them. The study was described as a clear alarm signal for the entire Thai economy and society, as the social tensions from precarious employment continued to grow.
Call for a new social start
Experts called for a “social new beginning”, arguing that only bold reforms could guarantee health, security and fairness for all workers. The election would show which party had recognised the gravity of the situation and was ready to set a course for a more just world of work.