Phakamon Urges Mobilization of External Workers for Hat Yai’s Flood Recovery

Hat yai: Phakamon Nunan, a party-list MP for the Prachachon Party, has been steadfast in her efforts to aid residents affected by the flooding in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. For the eighth consecutive day, she has been actively engaged in providing support, including bringing a generator to assist residents at Khlong Hae. During her visit, she met with Trinuch Thienthong, the Minister of Labor, at the Songkhla Rajabhat University Flood Relief Center to discuss urgent recovery measures.

According to Thai News Agency, Phakamon emphasized the necessity of mobilizing workers from outside the area to expedite the city’s restoration, cautioning against relying solely on local volunteers who are equally affected by the disaster. She expressed concerns that the six-month compensation under Section 33 might be insufficient for those insured under other social security schemes and stressed the importance of not abandoning them. Phakamon urged the government to collaborate with all ministries to set a clear recovery timeframe.

Phakamon’s discussions with Minister Trinuch focused on two major flooding issues. First, she highlighted the need for a substantial workforce to rehabilitate flooded areas, advocating for the recruitment of external workers and the establishment of fair wage rates due to the extensive city damage. Second, she questioned how the Ministry of Labor plans to assist social security insured persons unable to work due to the destruction of their homes.

Minister Trinuch announced an initial six-month compensation period for insured persons under Section 33, reflecting their premium contributions. However, Phakamon suggested collaborating with other ministries to ensure the timeframe is both flexible and realistic, emphasizing the need for clear compensation criteria for all insured persons, including employers affected by the floods.

Phakamon urged the government to develop a collaborative framework to restore normalcy for affected individuals, ensuring that compensation continues for those whose homes remain unrepaired. She stated her commitment to staying in the area, engaging with various ministry officials, and advocating for expedited discussions to address the hardships faced by the people.