Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - A meeting of Thai cabinet ministers on June 15 approveda proposal to reduce contributions from people who are insured under Section 40of the Social Security Act for six months, to mitigate the impact of theCOVID-19 situation.

Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said that the cabinet meetingapproved in principle a draft decree to reset contributions to the SocialSecurity Fund due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the proposal, contributions by insured persons covered by Section40 are reduced to 60 percent of their original contribution for six months.

The cabinet approved a draft ministerial regulation specifying the government’scontribution to the fund. The decision is aimed at easing the plight of the insuredand improving people’s purchasing power, to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 onthe economy.

Concerning monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund, the first optionis to contribute 42 baht per month, from the previous 70 baht per month. The secondoption is to contribute 60 baht per month, from the previous 100 baht permonth. The third option is to contribute 180 baht per month, from the previous300 baht per month.

The government’s contribution to the Social Security Fund is to be paid at therate specified by the ministerial regulation, but the amount must be less thanhalf of the contributions received from the insured. The first option is tocontribute 21 baht per month, from the previous 30 baht per month. The secondoption is to contribute 30 baht per month, from the previous 50 baht per month.The third option is to contribute 90 baht per month, from the previous 150 bahtper month./.