Thailand guarantees 75 pct wage for employees affected by COVID-19

Thailand's employees are legally entitled to a minimum of 75 percent of their current pay after their employers have temporarily closed business in the face of the COVID-19 spread, said a senior government official on Wednesday.

Labor Protection and Welfare Department director-general Aphinya Sucharittanand confirmed businesses being shut down temporarily due to the COVID-19 spread are obliged to pay each of their employees a minimum of 75 percent of their current wage in accordance with the labor protection law.

Nevertheless, the employers are not legally allowed to compel their employees to resign under the excuse of COVID-19, the department chief said.

He said employees at private workplaces can legally take sick leave or annual leave with pay in consequence of the coronavirus outbreak.