Workers demand better access to compensation fund

Some 300 workers from Ayutthaya and neighbouring provinces yesterday complained that those who sustained vocational injuries were not given access to the Workmen' s Compensation Fund, citing the case when a fellow workers' miscarriage at work was blamed on other causes, thus denying her compensation.

This prompted Labour Minister Chalermchai Sri-on to set up a committee to investigate hospitals' practices on the matter.

The workers met Chalermchai yesterday to plead for his backing of the draft legislation to establish a vocational health and work environment promotion institute, which is currently under Parliament consideration.

They also revealed that despite having 37 vocational health clinics, many workers couldn't use the services due to a complicated procedure. They said many hospitals still lacked vocational health doctors, and that is why other causes were often cited for injuries sustained at work, thus disqualifying workers from seeking help from the Workmen's Compensation Fund.

Protest leader, Pravit Phohom, said this problem was rife in Ayutthaya. He said one worker suffered a miscarriage while lifting heavy baskets at work, but was ignored by the foreman and the factory infirmary. When she was taken to hospital, the doctor diagnosed the cause as something other than a work hazard and she couldn't get any help from the Workmen's Compensation Fund. Though the woman's case is currently in court, it is not progressing too far despite the loss of her child, he said.

Pravit also cited the case of a man, who worked at a battery factory, suffering from uncontrollable fits due to exposure to toxins. The first doctor put his illness down to genes, though a second opinion revealed that he was suffering from exposure to toxins, he said, adding that they feared the man would soon be laid off without any help.

Chalermchai said he had clearly announced when taking office that all social security subscribers who contributed on a monthly basis should have access to all benefits, especially healthcare. Though the Social Security Office already had a committee overseeing medical standards, many hospitals might not be efficient enough, and therefore he had to set up another committee to investigate the matter. He said he was willing to have a representative of the subscribers in this panel.