The National Informal Labour Coordination Centre was formally established Monday to protect the rights of informal workers, Sujin Rungsawang, president of the coordination centre said.
Ms Sujin said the centre will coordinate campaigns to protect the interests of the vast number of these workers, employed in many professions, under the labour law.
The centre will also works to improve living standards for these workers, many of whom do not receive basic welfare they are entitled to, she said.
"Informal workers make up a large segment of the workforce, generating revenue of more than two trillion baht a year," she said.
However, many of them suffer a substandard quality of life and have no access to social security.
They had to set up small labour groups in the past. However, the law does not recognise these groups and for that reason, the government has not paid serious attention to their needs, according to Ms Sujin.
She said the existing law must be amended to cover labour rights protection groups for informal workers who include farmers, small-scale traders and motorcycle taxi drivers.
Labour academic Arak Prommanee said these workers need to be educated about their rights. Some domestic helpers may receive welfare and are given off-days. However, these are provided at the discretion of the employers.
Ms Sujin noted there are many laws related to several state agencies which mention informal workers. However, the workers need a law that specifically caters to their needs and provides them with systematic and comprehensive legal protection.
Non-governmental organisations and the centre are jointly drafting such a bill proposal, which many informal workers have pledged to support.
The draft bill will be presented to the cabinet for consideration and subsequently to parliament.
The core content of the draft stipulates that a central committee is to be set up to manage macro national policies on informal workers, with the prime minister as chairman.
