Employees affected by the partial lockdown in and around Bangkok, which began on Monday, and who are not covered by the social security scheme, will be eligible for 2,000 baht/month in compensation, as the cabinet today (Tuesday) approved the 7.5-billion-Baht compensation fund.

About 697,000 people, mostly construction workers in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon, will benefit from the fund, 3.5 billion baht of which is to come from the Social Security Fund and the rest from government borrowing.

Under the arrangement, employees covered by the social security scheme will receive half of their normal wages or salaries, but not exceeding 7,500 baht for the month, plus an additional 2,000 baht/head. Their employers will receive 3,000 baht for each of their employees, but for no more than 200 people.

Employees, who are not covered by social security scheme, will be required to register themselves for coverage before they can receive 2,000 baht in compensation, because they have not paid contributions to the social security fund. Their employers will, however, receive 3,000 baht/head, but for no more than 200 employees.

Businesses which cannot subscribe to the social security scheme, because they do not have employees, can subscribe, within a month, via the “Tung Ngern” app, in the eatery category, after which officials from the Interior Ministry will check the business.

Numerous workers, not covered by the social security scheme, had reportedly left their dormitories, ahead of the enforcement of the partial lockdown on Monday, because they thought they would not receive any compensation during the lockdown period.

Meanwhile, a group of nightlife workers, the Empower Foundation and online freelancers rallied in front of Government House today, to demand 5,000 baht/head per month from the government, claiming their premises have been closed by the authorities for several months now.