The Labor Protection Act (No. 7) B.E. 2562 was published in the Royal Gazette on April 5, 2562, and will take effect 30 days after the publication date (effective from May 5, 2562). The main points are as follows:

1. Amendment to Section 9, Paragraph 1 Employers who do not return security deposits or pay wages to employees will incur a default interest of 15% per annum.
2. Amendment to Section 13 Changes in the employer must receive prior consent from the employee, ensuring that the rights and responsibilities of the employee continue from the previous employer.
3. Addition of Section 17/1 Compensation in lieu of notice must be paid on the day the employee is terminated.
4. Amendment to Section 34 Employees are entitled to at least 3 days of leave for personal matters per year.
5. Amendment to Section 41 Provides protection for pregnant employees, allowing maternity leave of up to 98 days per pregnancy, including days off for prenatal check-ups.
6. Amendment to Section 53 Employers must set wages for male and female employees equally in terms of quality and quantity.
7. Addition of Section 57/1 Employers must pay wages to employees for necessary leave, not exceeding 3 days per year (to align with Section 34).
8. Amendment to Section 59 Employers must pay wages to female employees during maternity leave (to align with Section 41).
9. Amendment to Section 70 Establishes clearer guidelines regarding wage payments, overtime, holiday work, and payments that employers must make to employees.
10. Amendment to Section 75, Paragraph 1 Clarifies the criteria for wage payments to employees in cases where the employer temporarily ceases operations.
11. Amendment to Section 93 (5) Expands the powers of the Labor Welfare Committee to issue orders for employers to pay special compensation in lieu of notice and special compensation under Section 120/1.
12. Amendment to Section 118 (5) and addition of Section 118 (6) Employees who have worked for 10 years but not more than 20 years are entitled to 300 days of compensation, while those who have worked for more than 20 years are entitled to 400 days.
13. Amendment to Section 120 Establishes guidelines for employers regarding the relocation of business establishments.

For more details on the Labor Protection Act (No. 7) B.E. 2562, click here.