A citizen-sponsored bill seeking protection of the rights of sex workers has hit a procedural hurdle after parliamentary leaders ruled that it qualifies as a money bill, meaning it cannot proceed without the prime minister's endorsement.
The Sex Worker Protection Bill, drafted by the Empower Foundation, was classified as a money bill by a joint meeting of House leaders and chairmen of the House's 35 standing committees. The motion passed by 17 votes to six.
The ruling means the bill must be submitted to the prime minister for certification before it can be debated in the House. Civil society groups warned that because the constitution sets no deadline for approval, the legislation could face indefinite delays.
Deputy House Speaker Lertsak Pattanachaikul said parliamentary officials identified two provisions that might incur costs on the state.
The first concerns the creation of a Sex Worker Protection Centre, requiring additional personnel. The second recognises sex workers as employees, making them eligible for the social security system and requiring the government to increase its fund contributions.
Chalawan Muangchan of the Empower Foundation said the bill was developed with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to protect sex workers as labourers rather than treat them as criminals.
She estimated Thailand has around 1 million sex workers, and bringing them into the social security system would expand the contribution base instead of increasing state spending.
Protection International representative Pranom Somwong said the draft merely transfers existing responsibilities to another agency, rather than creating new government expenditure.
