Riders demand enhanced compensation and benefits on their respective platforms.
In a hot-button debate that's sparking ripples across Thailand, an academic from Thammasat University suggests it's high time we reevaluate the employment status of digital platform riders. Asst Prof Kritsada Theerakosonphong, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Faculty of Social Administration and a member of a subcommittee on the development of the Social Security system under Section 40 of the Social Security Act, argued that these hardworking riders should be classified as company employees under the social security law, instead of the current "semi-independent" label that leaves them twisting in the wind when it comes to basic work benefits.
But why the upset? Well, these riders may be dressed in their slick uniforms and toeing the company line, but their current "semi-independent" classification under the freelance labor bill, as one of the two types of informal workers, is doing them a serious disservice. According to Asst Prof Kritsada, this misclassification denies them access to much-needed work benefits and shunts them out of the formal labor system. And that's a lousy deal for folks who are routinely subjected to the same risks and usually behave as if they're part of a company team.
But waiting there in the wings, looking on with a growing sense of unease, is a labor network. This savvy group of advocates recently fired off an open letter to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, expressing their passionate objections to the proposed bill. The bill, which has been in the works since before the age of COVID-19, is currently gearing up for a cabinet approval decision, says Asst Prof Kritsada.
So, what's the deal with this "semi-independent" classification, anyway? Well, it turns out that there are two types of freelance workers defined in the draft law. Beyond those slick riders are the "independent workers," a term applied to those who bust their humps without the proper boss. These folk include farmers tending their own land, street vendors flipping their wares, and motorcycle taxi drivers ferrying folks around town. The definition of a platform delivery rider in this draft law could easily lead to these riders being denied access to benefits and pushed out of the formal labor system, even though they pretty much act like company employees.
But where's the rubber meeting the road? After all, these riders do follow the company rules, wear their uniforms with pride, and face real risks at work, like those nerve-wracking road accidents. To Asst Prof Kritsada, this classification isn't just a case of the wrong label on a package; it's a fundamental misclassification that can have dangerous consequences for these workers.
"It's a thorough misnomer. Just glance at the name 'semi-independent' - it doesn't exactly scream freedom, does it?" commented Asst Prof Kritsada. "Riders are at high risk of road accidents - yet scared of the consequences, as they're labeled as freelancers, companies take zero responsibility to protect them."
As this debate rages on and Thailand tries to sort out the best way to support these dedicated riders, one thing's for sure: Change is a-comin', and both workers and businesses might need to loosen their ties and get ready for a whole new ride.
References:[1] Debate over classifying digital platform riders sparks criticism: labor network. Thai Enquirer. April 18th, 2025. Accessed on May 3rd, 2025. https://www.thai-enquirer.com/thailand-news/debate-over-classifying-digital-platform-riders-sparks-criticism-labor-network/
Technology plays a significant role in this debate, as it enables the work of digital platform riders.
Despite following company rules and using technology for their jobs, these riders are currently classified as "semi-independent" under the freelance labor bill, a classification that can deny them access to essential work benefits and push them out of the formal labor system. This misclassification is a concern, especially given the risks associated with their technology-aided jobs, such as road accidents.
