Independent food delivery riders in Thailand are urging the government to grant them employee benefits similar to those in other sectors.
The riders say they face significant work hazards, including harassment and road accidents, but lack adequate support from their employers. Classified as “partners”, not “employees”, they don’t receive typical benefits including health and vehicle insurance, putting them at a disadvantage when compared to traditional employees.
Politicians have weighed in on the issue. The Pheu Thai Party Policy Centre has proposed a protective law for informal workers like drivers, while the Move Forward Party has called for a rider labor union and a system for handling disputes between platforms and drivers.
In contrast, the Democratic Party has emphasised vehicle safety, asserting that no new laws are needed. It recommends reinterpreting current laws to consider delivery riders as formal employees, not unprotected partners.
