Population Policy

The Eighth National Economic and Social Development Plan
 (1997-2001). Part III, Chapter 3, p.43-44.

Date:     1997-2001

Source:     Office of the Prime Minister, National Economic and Social Development Board, Bangkok, Thailand

Subject:     population policy, social welfare, quality of life, labour welfare

1.  Development of Social and Labour Welfare Systems which Support the Improvement of Quality of Life.

1.1  Streamlining the social welfare system.

1. Promote and develop the system for delivery of social welfare to help the disadvantaged and vulnerable to meet their basic needs, using the Social Welfare Act as a framework.
   
   

2. Reform the network for coordination of social welfare so that all stake-holders- the public sector, private sector and NGOs - and all administrative levels - central, regional and local - can be linked systematically.
   
   

3. Encourage the formation and networking of organizations comprising both individuals and social institutions such as temples and schools, for the management of social welfare within the community.
   
   

4. Stress the role of NGOs and community organizations in social welfare development, with the public sector’s role becoming one of facilitator and supervisor rather than principal actor.
   
   

5. Revise relevant laws and regulations to facilitate and support the work of NGOs and community organizations, particularly by streamlining registration procedures.

1.2  Establishing a standardized labour welfare system.

1. Amend relevant laws and regulations to encourage the private sector to participate in the provision of labour welfare services, such as medical centers, kindergartens, nurseries and sports centers within the workplace grounds, according to agreed standards.
   
   

2. Encourage employers to provide employees with welfare services beyond those required by law.
   
   

3.  ...

1.3  Expansion and improvement of the social insurance system.

1. Widen the scope of social insurance to cover child support and the contingencies of ageing, and to cover businesses with less than ten employees. In addition, consider extending social insurance to those working in the informal sector.
   
   

2. Improve the efficiency of the social insurance system, including medical services and compensation payments, in order to provide the greatest benefit to workers. Computerize the system and create nationwide information networks.