Bangkok: The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) supports the government's review of welfare card criteria, proposing the use of in-depth data for screening. Supporters advocate for a review of the criteria for the state welfare card, proposing the use of in-depth data for targeted screening to truly help vulnerable individuals. They also stress the importance of upgrading citizens from "welfare recipients" to "those with stable incomes" through reskilling and upskilling.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), commented on the government's policy, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Ministry of Finance, to review the criteria for eligibility for state welfare benefits, particularly the inclusion of tax deductions for supporting children's parents as a condition. She stated that the FTI agrees with the government's principle of ensuring public welfare reaches those truly in need, but emphasized that the criteria should reflect the actual circumstances of each household. She noted that children claiming tax deductions may not necessarily mean all elderly family members are receiving adequate care, and therefore, a thorough and fair verification system is needed to prevent vulnerable groups from being excluded.
Improving the database of recipients of state welfare benefits is crucial because government resources are limited. Assistance must be targeted, separating those truly in need from those who are not, ensuring optimal use of budget funds and reducing the long-term financial burden.
It was also suggested that the development of the welfare system should proceed in parallel with the linking of databases between agencies, such as data on income, occupation, expenses, dependency, and the actual living conditions of households, in order to make the assessment of eligibility more comprehensive than using only one indicator.
Furthermore, the industrial sector believes that in addition to measures to alleviate the cost of living, the government should prioritize upgrading citizens from "welfare recipients" to "those with stable incomes" through measures to develop labor skills (reskilling and upskilling), create new jobs, and connect workers to the manufacturing and service sectors that still have a demand for manpower.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) believes that this review of the criteria, if conducted based on accurate information, transparency, and incorporating input from all sectors, will help create a fair welfare system, reduce inequality, and ensure the most efficient use of the national budget.