On 15 Aug 2025, rider groups met Thailand’s Labour Minister to oppose the Draft Independent Workers Bill and submitted a ministerial-rule proposal that would guarantee hourly compensation, restore a 62-baht per-ride floor, and cap platform deductions at 20%. The Association of Public-Hire EV Riders signaled support for the bill.
Event facts
- Date & time: 15 August 2025, 10:00
- Venue: Ministry of Labour (Bangkok)
- Delegations: Rangsit Platform Workers Group; Rider Center
- Minister: Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Labour
- Positions: Rider groups oppose the Draft Independent Workers Bill; the EV Riders Association supports it.
Key demands
- Hourly compensation tied to time logged on/off the platform
- 62-baht minimum per ride (especially within the first 3 km)
- Cap platform/app deductions at 20%
- Issue a ministerial regulation under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541, reflecting the National Human Rights Commission’s guidance
Key quotes
- Supaporn Phanprasit (Rider Center): No income guarantee; high platform commissions; hazardous work without compensation or social security—reconsider or scrap the draft bill.
- Surasak Sangkompitak (Rangsit Riders): Per-ride pay dropped from 62 to 30 baht—insufficient to live on; the draft bill fails to protect per-ride compensation.
- Somyot Prueksakasemsuk (June 24 Democracy Group): A ministerial rule can set hourly pay and a per-ride floor and cap platform fees at 20%—no need for a new act that favors platforms.
Minister’s note
The minister acknowledged the grievances and said revisions to the draft bill would be considered within three months.
Letter highlights
- Reject the current draft bill for failing to guarantee fair income, compensation, social security, and collective bargaining rights
- Guarantee 62-baht per ride (within the first 3 km)
- Invoke Section 6 of the Labour Protection Act (1998) to issue a ministerial regulation on hours, per-ride pay, and other benefits in line with NHRC guidance
- Signatories: Workers’ Union; Southern Riders Association; Rangsit Platform Riders’ Union; Rider Center
- Contact: Workers’ Union — workersunionthailand@gmail.com, +66-86-821-7981
- Photo credit: The Standard (Ministry of Labour)
