Sex worker rights groups on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to endorse a citizen-sponsored bill seeking legal protection and labour rights for sex workers.
Chatchalawan Muangjan of the Empower Foundation led service workers from Udon Thani, Chiang Mai and Bangkok in a symbolic event outside the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, opposite Government House, calling for progress on the Sex Worker Protection Bill.
The groups submitted 10,293 signatures in support of the draft bill, but it was classified as a money bill on July 10. The ruling means the bill requires the prime minister's endorsement before it can proceed to parliament.
Ms Chatchalawan said the delay contradicted the cabinet's acknowledgement on Aug 5 of observations by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which urged Thailand to decriminalise sex work to end arrests, stigma and rights violations, and to use labour laws to protect sex workers.
The foundation said sex workers had campaigned for recognition for more than 40 years and were seeking basic labour rights, including access to social security benefits under Section 33 of the Social Security Act on the same basis as other employees.
Ms Chatchalawan said the issue should reach the PM. She urged the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to push for legislation to decriminalise sex work.
