By: Suntaree H. Saeng-ging, HomeNet Southeast Asia Executive Director
From April to August 2026, HomeNet Thailand, in collaboration with the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health and its regional offices, is conducting Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Literacy Training for 2,000 informal economy workers across Bangkok, the Central region, and the Northeast region, with support from the National Health Security Office.
The training targets informal economy workers who face significant occupational health and safety risks, including fishing net producers, domestic workers, agricultural workers handling chemicals, motorcycle taxi drivers, street vendors, street sweepers exposed to extreme heat, waste pickers who may come into contact with hazardous substances, and workers engaged in repetitive tasks or long working hours.
Participants receive health risk assessments, blood testing, guidance on improving health and safety practices, and follow-up support to promote safer working conditions.
Beyond improving the occupational safety and health of participating workers, the initiative aims to generate evidence and baseline data to support advocacy efforts. The findings will be used to advocate for the inclusion of annual health check-ups as a benefit under Thailand’s health security scheme for informal workers.
