Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to study the operation of Workmens Compensation fund during A.D.1974 to A.D 1978 after the work has been started on January 1, 1974. The study provides annual figures of the number of covered employers and employees, amount of contributions paid by those employers, number of claims on the accidents, the amount of compensation benefits paid by the fund and other fields of the operation both in Bangkok and other provinces. All these are for evaluating the performance of the Workmens Compensation Fund. In addition, studies are made on the attitude of employers and employees toward the operation of Workmens Compensation Fund, and all the problems and difficulties of its work during that period. The result of the study would be useful in improving the working procedures as well as for future expansion. The result of the research indicated that the operation of the fund during the period 1974 to 1978 appeared to be quite successful in its ability to provide protection to employees both in Bangkok and other 17 provinces. The operation of Workmens Compensation fund can be regarded as quite successful in satisfying the needs of both employers and employees when considering the annual increasing number of registered employer, number of claims on the accidents and similary the increasing of compensation benefits paid out each year. Besides, the financial status of Workmens Compensation Fund is stable; it is able to pay compensation benefits to employees from the contribution received, without resorting to additional susidy from the government. Nevertheless, despite its success in satisfying the needs of both employers and employees, Workmens Compensation Fund has not yet reached the objectives set by the government for there are still no provisions for vocational rehabilitation for disabled employees whose disability is work- connected; also accident rates have not been reduced. Generally, the operation of Workmens Compensation Fund encounters several problems and difficulties, because its management system is similar to that other governmental organizations, while the management of provincial Workmens Compensation Fund is similar that of provincial governmental organizations which limits the flexibility of operation. There are also problems of understaffing, transferring of resignation of officials as well as problems of insufficient budget which contributes towards failure of reaching its objectives. In addition, there are also loopholes in laws concerning Workmens Compensation Fund, which creat difficulties to officials and other related persons in interpreting and operating. From the study of employers and employers attitudes toward the operation of Workmens Compensation Fund, it is found that most of the samples from employers and employees demand Workmens Compensation fund to improve its contribution rates and compensation benefits and also to extend its coverage to business enterprises with than 10 employees. Regarding the work of the officers, most of the answers received from sampling among registered employers and benefited employees indicate they are all satisfied with the officers performances. Besides, they also feel that Workmens Compensation Fund creates good relationship between employers and employees, reduces disputes in demanding for compensation benefits. Lastly most of the sampled employers and employees agree with Workmens Compensation Fund in setting up its own hospital, starting a vocational rehabilitation project for disabled employees and most important of all they demand that the government should establish Social Insurance in Thailand. All stated problems as well as opinions from both employers and employees need to be taken into consideration in order to increase the productivity and efficiency of the Workmens Compensation Fund. The author recommended that the office of Workmens compensation Fund should be separated as an independent working unit and the provincial Workmens Compensation Funds report directly to the central office, organization and working procedures between the central and provincial offices should be reorganized including the revision and implementation of the law.