Riders demand improved compensation on digital platforms
Digital gig workers, such as platform delivery riders, should be recognized as company employees rather than informal workers, according to Assoc. Prof. Kritsada Theerakosonphong, a Thammasat University academic and member of a subcommittee on the development of the Social Security system.
Typically categorized as "semi-independent" workers in the freelance labour bill, these digital workers face limited access to basic work benefits, stated Assoc. Prof. Kritsada yesterday. However, he contends that they should be classified as company employees, as they adhere to company guidelines, wear uniforms, and are exposed to risks at work, like road accidents.
Assoc. Prof. Kritsada points out that this misclassification under the draft law would prevent them from reaping work benefits and push them out of the formal labor system. The bill, which has been in development since before the pandemic, has sparked criticism from labor networks and awaits cabinet approval.
"These so-called semi-independent workers are fundamentally misclassified," explained Assoc. Prof. Kritsada. "Riders are at high risk of road accidents, but because they're labelled as freelancers, companies take no responsibility to protect them."
Globally, the classification of platform workers as employees or independent contractors remains a contentious issue, often needing legislative or judicial clarification. In Thailand, discussions about labor rights in the digital economy are on the rise, with regulation of digital assets and concerns over job scams on digital platforms being significant concerns. It's likely that Thailand's evolving digital economy regulations will have a direct impact on platform workers like riders.
- "Assoc. Prof. Kritsada argues that digital workers, such as platform delivery riders who are often categorized as freelancers, should be defined as company employees because they adhere to company guidelines, wear uniforms, and are exposed to risks at work like road accidents."
- "The misclassification under the draft law of these digital workers as 'semi-independent' workers prevents them from receiving work benefits, such as protection from risks associated with their work, like road accidents."
- "The evolution of Thailand's digital economy regulations may bring significant changes for platform workers like riders, as debates about labor rights in the digital economy heat up, and the classification of such workers as employees becomes a key consideration."
