Informal Workers Access to Basic Rights : Specifically Street Vendors

Abstract

This research aimed to study the accessibility of basic rights by informal workers, specifically street vendors, as embodied within the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560, to obtain work security and promote and develop their quality of life. A qualitative research method was used in this study, consisting of both in-depth interviews, and evaluation of Thai and International research.

The research revealed that informal workers, specifically street vendors, play an important part in driving the local economy, however, there are no laws which support their accessibility to formal basic rights regarding income standards, unemployment, and child support, even though section 40 of the Social Security Act of B.E. 2533 offers informal workers the possibility to apply, be insured, and receive the same benefits as employees in the formal sector. Due to being underprivileged and lacking basic education, informal workers have less governmental support for career development, and face a lack of security in life. The government is aware of this situation and has pushed the "Draft Act Promoting the Quality of Life and Protection of Informal Workers, B.E. ....", through which the responsibility to promote and develop the quality of life of informal workers is given to local government organizations. However, there are no statutory laws empowering local government organizations to follow-through on this act.

This research suggests amending statutes in 5 acts, those being the Provincial Administrative Organization Act, B.E. 2540, Section 45 (subsection 7), the Municipality Act, B.E. 1953, Section 50 (7/1), the Subdistrict Council and Subdistrict Administrative Organization Act, B.E. 2537, Section 67 (6/1), the Pattaya City Government Administration Act, B.E. 2521,section 67bis., and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528 Section 89 (25 bis), such that local government organizations are authorized to issue local ordinances, announcements and regulations to support the “Draft Act Promoting the Quality of Life and Protection of Informal Workers, B.E. ...."