FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Caretakers fight for legally due amount

Caretakers fight for legally due amount

THE CARETAKERS of people with disabilities have lodged complaints with several authorities, saying they were paid just a fraction of the amount they were promised under a legally binding project.

Caretakers fight for legally due amount

“I was given just Bt18,000, instead of the Bt82,125 I was owed,” Thanida Anu-an, a Kalasin province resident, lamented yesterday. 
Under the law, big enterprises are required to recruit people with disabilities, contribute to a fund or hire them at a flat rate. 
Meanwhile, the fund uses its resources to improve the lives of people with disabilities such as providing them with caretakers or giving them a profession among others.
As part of this project, Thanida and several of her neighbours were hired as caretakers of children with physical disabilities. 
However, they began complaining when the wages paid were a lot lower than what was promised. 

Official complaint
In response, the Network for Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities has officially filed a complaint with the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of Public-Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of National Human Rights Commission. 

Caretakers fight for legally due amount

Preeda Limnonthakul
“We have detected a suspicious practice by the Club of Kalasin Parents of the Intellectually Challenged as well as state officials attached to the province’s social development and human security office,” the network’s chairman Preeda Limnonthakul said. 
The club had reportedly kept the caretakers’ bank passbooks and ATM cards for several months, until Thanida openly challenged its practice. 
“We have evidence in the form of witnesses and Line chat history,” Preeda said. 
Thanida said she was being treated unfairly because instead of offering remedial action, the state officials had rebuked her for lodging a complaint. 
“My ATM card and passbook were mailed to me, but nobody has told me how I can get the money I’m owed,” she said.
So far, five others have joined Thanida in her effort to demand justice, because they too have not received the full amount they were promised. 

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