The Labour Ministry will submit 18 projects to the Cabinet on Tuesday, plus an extra scheme to pay allowances of Bt2,000 a year to all 9.3 million members of the Social Security Fund. The scheme would require a budget of nearly Bt19 billion.

Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong also said on Monday that the Social Security Office is also studying on the proposed cut in contributions to the fund for both employers and employees, as a way to reduce pressure from the economic crisis. At present, employers and employees are required to pay 5 per cent of employees' salary to the fund. The contribution ratio would be lowered to 3.5 per cent for a year.

"Without any action, a million could lose their jobs and there would be no contribution to the fund but the fund will have to pay unemployment benefits of about Bt30 billion. Annual contribution is about Bt11.475 billion. But if we cut the contribution, job loss would be nil and employees' contribution will stay," Paitoon said.

He said the SSO board would discuss this option at the Jan 20 meeting and if approved, the proposed cut would be submitted for the Cabinet's approval.