Thailand: 140,000 claimants for unemployment benefits in Mar 20

• More than 140,000 employees lost their jobs in Mar 20 due to the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Employment.
• The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry has also estimated that from Mar 20 until the end of the pandemic, at least 6.5 million will be put out of work, if migrant workers and those in the informal sector are accounted for, as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
• Suchat Pornchaiwiseskul, director-general of the department, said that a total of 144,861 people signed up to receive unemployment benefits in Mar 20 – a 72% rise from the figure in Feb 20 when 84,177 people filed for benefits, or almost 100% more than the Jan 20 figure of 74,775.
• Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul said that people who have lost their jobs because their employers had to cease their business as a result of the outbreak are entitled to 70% of their final month’s wage for six months up to THB15,000 in total.
• For those who resigned, the proportion falls to 45%, the minister said.

External Link : https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1894355/144-000-lose-jobs-in-shutdown