The Thai cabinet, today (Tuesday) approved the allocation of another 30 billion baht to help businesses and employees in the 16 provinces recently added to the COVID-19 “Dark Red” category affected by the partial-lockdown restrictions, said Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
This support, now a total of 60 billion baht for 29 Dark Red provinces, is intended for nine types of business, covered by the social security scheme, and their employees and businesses under the 50:50 co-payment and “Rao Chana” schemes.
The assistance is good for the month of August only in the 16 provinces, said Mr. Anucha, adding that those in the 13 other provinces categorized as “Dark Red”, which have received similar support from a 30-billion-baht fund previously earmarked, will also be eligible for the help until end of August.
The cabinet has also instructed the Ministry of Labour to develop a program to help taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers who are over 65 and exempted from government support because they are not eligible for the social security scheme, according to Section 40 of the labour law.
The financial help for businesses and their employees with social security coverage includes 2,500 baht for each Thai national employed and, for employers, 3,000 baht per head of employees up to a maximum of 200. The money will be transferred directly to their bank accounts.
The employees will also be eligible for half of their salaries, but not exceeding 7,500 baht, from the Office of Social Security in cases where the businesses are closed.
Freelancers affected by the lockdown restrictions, who are covered by the social security scheme under Sections 39 and 40 of the labour law, will each receive 5,000 baht from the government.
