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Published on September 24, 2007

The working panel comprises representatives from the Labour Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Public Health Ministry, the National Police Office and the out-of-system labour sector. It was established at the request of the Empower Foundation, which works for the rights of women in the sex industry.

"We are studying the relevant information," Labour Protection and Welfare Department director-general Padungsak Thephasdin na Ayudhaya said yesterday.

Current laws about standard wages and social security schemes do not cover sex workers or other self-employed service workers.

However, Padungsak said relevant authorities had already encouraged the night-time service venues to provide basic welfare and ensure that fire-safety systems were in place.

"If there are legal employment contracts, any dispute between the employers and employees will fall under

the jurisdiction of the Central Labour Court," he said.

Because night-time venues have to seek operating licences from the Interior Ministry, Padungsak said the ministry would suspend licences at venues where basic welfare was not provided.

He said the Public Health Ministry was also working to control threats and risks in affected areas.

To safeguard workers at the night-time venues, Padungsak said police had set up checkpoints and conducted patrols along nearby routes at closing time.

The Empower Foundation approved of the government's response, but further requested that authorities try to seek cooperation from venue owners instead of relying on strict law-enforcement alone.