Workers' medical cover raised to Bt1m

The Social Security Office (SSO) and Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) will also work together to ensure that Thai and migrant employees harmed during their duties receive medical treatment under the Workmen's Compen-sation Fund (WCF), Phadermchai said.

Currently, some employers prohibit their workers from accessing the WCF so as to avoid having to contribute to the fund.

"On September 5, I will meet with Office of the Permanent Secretary, Department of Skill Development, Department of Employment, SSO and DLPW to discuss how to address this problem," Phadermchai said.

WCF officials will also launch a campaign aimed at cutting the number of accidents in the workplace. About 11 per cent of the fund's investment profits will be allocated to run the campaign," Phadermchai said.

SSO deputy secretary-general Arak Prommani said about 300,000 employers paid yearly contributions totalling Bt2 billion to the fund. Last year, the WFC paid Bt1.6 billion in compensation to nearly 130,000 employees. About 1,200 medical facilities are covered by the WCF, 1,000 of which are state-owned and 200 private.

Dr Chatree Banchuen, head of the WFC medical panel, said the fund was mulling the use of a DRG (diagnosis-related group) payment system as the new criteria for compensation awards in order to limit the amount paid out for treatment of severe diseases.

The WCF has accumulated more than Bt35 billion, with 93 per cent invested in low-risk securities and the remaining 7 per cent in high-risk securities. The fund earned Bt733 million from the investment over the first six months of this year.