Govt offers loans to people working at home
People earning a living at home by reprocessing materials into saleable products can get low-interest loans from the Department of Employment (DOE).
The department is offering loans of up to Bt50,000 for individuals, to be repaid within two years, and up to Bt200,000 for two or more people, to be repaid within four years, DOE director-general Waranon Pitiwan said on Wednesday.
The offer is in response to the government’s strategy to improve the lives of “off-system” workers and boost employment, income and access to funds.
Waranon said the DOE had established a loan fund with 3-per-cent-per-year interest for people who work at home so they could buy materials and tools or expand production.
To qualify, individuals must register their business with the DOE, showing evidence of output and payment receipts, and have working capital of at least Bt5,000.
Groups applying (two or more people) would need at least Bt10,000 in working capital.
People interested in applying can call the DOE hotline, 1694.
Waranon said 641 work-at-home groups representing 5,462 people have registered with the DOE since 2005.
The department has approved low-interest loans totalling Bt31 million to 340 groups, he said, helping them collectively generate income estimated at Bt119 million a year.