Under the algorithm's thumb

According to Kasikorn Research Center, the number of layoffs, under Section 33 of the Social Security Act, has increased at an average rate of 7% per year. By 2026, it is projected that layoffs will remain high, at an average of no less than 40,000 per month. This is driven by factors such as a weak economy, intense competition, conflict between Iran and Israel and the United States, as well as the increasing use of technology to replace labour or human skills.

In this economic downturn, vulnerable and low-income groups are among the first to be affected. To be a voice for workers and the vulnerable, the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation collaborated with the Child Youth and Family Foundation, the Rangsit Area Labour Union Group, the Health Promotion Movement and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation to organise the forum "Examining The Thai Labour Crisis: The Decline In Quality Of Life" at Mandarin Hotel Bangkok on Labour Day.

Before the forum began, a video depicting the hardship of gig-economy workers was shown. Over 140,000 workers (100,000 motorcyclists and 40,000 drivers) are forced to deliver food and packages to multiple locations in exchange for inadequate wages. Since they have to work longer hours, it has negative effects on their physical and mental health. One driver went to see a doctor because he had a nosebleed and was told he was not getting enough rest. However, he cannot afford to rest because he needs to make a living to support his family.

Woradul Tularak, an independent economic researcher and Suthat Iamsang, president of the Federation of Thailand Textile, Garment and Leather Workers, revealed that due to economic downturn, it was alarming to find that many permanent employees are forced to downgrade to subcontractors or one-year contract workers.

"While permanent employees receive benefits such as free meals and medical care, subcontract employees only receive minimum wage. However, some factories try to manipulate permanent employees into signing a new contract that will remove their permanent employee status," said Suthat.

As an economic researcher, Woradul pointed out that mass layoffs due to a stagnating economy, coupled with inflation and high living costs, are difficult to solve. In addition to the unresolved economic crisis and high cost of living this year, other problems such as severe PM2.5 pollution and extreme heatwaves have increased vulnerability.

"Low-income workers and the vulnerable are hit more severely by these problems and find it harder to recover. A situation like this can even destroy an entire family since they lack a social safety net. The problem with Gross Domestic Product growth is whether it is distributed fairly. If GDP grows but the distribution of that growth is inequitable, it is considered a structural problem.

"There was a study done on intergenerational mobility, which refers to change in social or economic status between parents and children. The countries where the younger generations have better income and financial security than their parents are those in Northern Europe, such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland," said Woradul.

"These countries rank high because they have good labour protection, strong labour unions and access to lifelong education. Their inequality gap is much lower than in Thailand. In this study, Thailand ranks among the lowest in the group."

According to Thai Health Promotion Foundation, a 2022 survey indicated that there were 81 accidents involving delivery motorcyclists, resulting in 28 deaths and 36 injuries. One of the causes is them racing against the clock to increase income.

The newly-opened Lumpini Hawker Centre.

Sriprai Nonsee, a labour unionist in the Rangsit area, explained that racing against the clock puts platform workers at a much higher risk of accidents. The platform also has the authority to set prices, but workers have no right to object. While per-trip compensation has decreased, petrol prices have risen. This has forced platform workers to work longer hours to earn the same amount that they used to get. Some delivery drivers have to work 14-18 hours per day.

Prapaporn Phon-in, a representative of the driver network, added that many delivery drivers face heat stroke because the peak demand hours of 11am to 1pm aligns with the most heat intensity. They also cannot reject work to take a break because the algorithm will reduce the number of assignments.

In addition to overwork and heat stroke risk, both female and male workers also face sexual harassment and attempted rape. One male motorcyclist said a passenger inappropriately touched his private parts during a ride, while one passenger lured a female motorcyclist to drop him off at a location where three men were waiting for her and attempted to rape her.

"Some customers also send inappropriate images through the platform to delivery drivers, but drivers still have to deliver to them. This sometimes leads to unwanted physical contact and the platform never provides any protection to the drivers. Additionally, drivers who are victims do not have time to pursue legal action and the legal process is very slow," said Sriprai.

When Woradul was asked what demands he would like to make for workers, he suggested that platforms should consider forms of welfare.

"Platforms should provide access to water stations and support PM2.5 pollution protection gear. When PM2.5 pollution exceeds the standard level, platforms should consider whether workers should work in severe pollution," said Woradul.

"Guidelines for breaks should be established when temperatures exceed acceptable levels. Uniforms should be designed to be appropriate for the weather conditions. In Qatar, when preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, construction workers wore specialised clothing that cooled body temperature when outside temperature exceeded 50C. Furthermore, a social security, health insurance and accident protection system should be established for platform workers."

Prapaporn, who works with the Healthy Driver Project, hopes that more health facilities will provide check-ups for workers like Ratchaphiphat Hospital in Bang Khae.

"Many female platform drivers are single mothers. It would be helpful if there are affordable and safe childcare facilities for their children, so they can feel more at ease while working," said Prapaporn.

Both Suthat and Sriprai hope the government will ratify ILO Conventions 87 and 98. ILO Conventions 87 concerns Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention. ILO Convention 98 focuses on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention.

"If ILO Conventions 87 and 98 were ratified, workers can form unions of their own. However, the current government has many capitalists, making these two conventions a threat to their businesses," said Suthat.

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- Thai labour crisis

- Gig economy workers

- Labour rights thailand

- Economic downturn

- Platform workers

- Social safety net

- Income inequality