(Bangkok, 8th) People's Party (People's Party) Members of Parliament have called on the Social Security Office to take action, as over 90% of respondents oppose implementing a 'one person, one vote' system in Social Security Board elections.
Sahassawat Kumkong, People's Party MP for Chonburi Province's 7th constituency, commented on Saturday regarding the results of the public hearing for the Social Security Board's new election system. The proposal suggests adopting a 'one person, one vote' model to replace the current system—where each employee can choose seven representatives. The Social Security Board comprises seven representatives each from the government, employers, and employees.
He said: 'More than 90% of respondents oppose this change, yet the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, Kanchana Poolkaew, has so far not clarified whether the authorities will move forward with or terminate this new plan.'
Sahassawat criticized the authorities for not making a decision, pointing out that public opinion is already very clear. He questioned why the Social Security Office still needs to review details or analyze support reasons when a majority have shown clear opposition.
Besides the reform to the employee representative voting system, about 80% of respondents also oppose contribution conditions related to voting eligibility—that is, the criteria that determine who can participate in the voting. Additionally, the majority of participants also oppose the proposal to allow election observers to oversee the voting process.
On the other hand, Rukchanok Srinork, the People's Party's incoming proportional representation MP, stated that the consultation results clearly show that most insured employees oppose the new election rules. She believes the new system will weaken unity among the employee representatives on the Social Security Board and reduce the rights of insured contributors.
She questioned why, when insured employees have clearly expressed their wishes, the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office is still reluctant to make a stance. She warned that such indecision could make the public think that the authorities are trying to delay or undermine the election process.
Nevertheless, she also emphasized that the final decision rests with the Minister of Labour, as only the Minister of Labour has the power to approve or reject the new system.
Sahassawat Kumkong, People's Party MP for Chonburi Province's 7th constituency, commented on Saturday regarding the results of the public hearing for the Social Security Board's new election system. The proposal suggests adopting a 'one person, one vote' model to replace the current system—where each employee can choose seven representatives. The Social Security Board comprises seven representatives each from the government, employers, and employees.
Sahassawat criticized the authorities for not making a decision, pointing out that public opinion is already very clear. He questioned why the Social Security Office still needs to review details or analyze support reasons when a majority have shown clear opposition.
Besides the reform to the employee representative voting system, about 80% of respondents also oppose contribution conditions related to voting eligibility—that is, the criteria that determine who can participate in the voting. Additionally, the majority of participants also oppose the proposal to allow election observers to oversee the voting process.
On the other hand, Rukchanok Srinork, the People's Party's incoming proportional representation MP, stated that the consultation results clearly show that most insured employees oppose the new election rules. She believes the new system will weaken unity among the employee representatives on the Social Security Board and reduce the rights of insured contributors.
She questioned why, when insured employees have clearly expressed their wishes, the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office is still reluctant to make a stance. She warned that such indecision could make the public think that the authorities are trying to delay or undermine the election process.
Nevertheless, she also emphasized that the final decision rests with the Minister of Labour, as only the Minister of Labour has the power to approve or reject the new system.