Security staff to receive overtime pay under new regulation

Security staff will be entitled to overtime pay for the first time in nearly two decades, following a revision of a Thai ministerial regulation that will take effect on April 24.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana told the media this week that the move is aimed at improving the quality of life of security personnel nationwide.

Under the amended regulation, employers will be legally required to pay overtime to security guards who work more than eight hours a day, at a rate of at least 1.25 times their regular hourly wage on working days, she said.

On public holidays, security personnel on duty will be entitled to overtime pay at a rate of at least 2.5 times their regular hourly wage.

Lalida noted that the new regulation also covers security staff working in daily shifts, with normal working hours capped at no more than 48 hours per week.

The amended ministerial regulation, which replaces the original version enacted in 2009, represents a significant step forward in promoting equal rights across the workforce, according to the deputy government spokesperson.