BANGKOK: (Bernama) The Thai government has approved a new law allowing security guards to receive overtime pay for work beyond the standard eight hours per day, effective April 24.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the ministerial regulation on overtime pay and compensation for work exceeding eight hours per day in duties involving the supervision of premises or property will come into force on that date.
She said the measure aims to improve workers’ quality of life and ensure fairness, particularly for security guards and personnel responsible for overseeing premises and property.
"This law reflects the government’s intention to raise Thai labour standards in line with actual working conditions, particularly for those who work long, continuous hours, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation and tangible improvements in their quality of life,” she said in a statement on Thursday (April 16).
Lalida said the regulation marks a significant improvement in labour rights by revoking the previous exemption under the 2009 regulation, which had excluded such occupations from receiving overtime pay.
Under the key provisions, employers are required to pay overtime at no less than 1.25 times the hourly wage rate for work exceeding eight hours on normal working days, and no less than 2.5 times the hourly wage rate for work on holidays.
She added that where working hours are agreed to exceed eight hours per day, such as in shift work, but do not exceed 48 hours per week in total, employers are still required to pay compensation at the prescribed rates for hours worked beyond eight hours per day, ensuring fair treatment for employees. - Bernama
