Thailand's Social Security Office and ILO Strengthen SSO's Capacity to Enhance Social Security Services

The collaboration between the ILO and the Thai government has focused on enhancing the SSO’s research capabilities and improving its actuarial and policy-making processes.

A successful collaboration between Thailand’s Social Security Office (SSO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) has significantly strengthened the SSO's capacity to deliver effective and sustainable social security services across the country. This achievement was highlighted at an event in Bangkok on 30 August 2024, marking the conclusion of a five-year project focused on enhancing the SSO’s policy design, research, and actuarial services.

Launched in July 2019 and fully funded by the SSO, the "Strengthening Social Security Office Capacities in Policy Design with a Focus on Research and Actuarial Services" project has been pivotal in supporting Thailand’s efforts to achieve universal social security coverage with adequate and sustainable benefits.

“This pioneering initiative has demonstrated the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in social security,” said Oktavianto Pasaribu, Deputy Director of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, reflecting on the project's impact over the past five years.

The collaboration between the ILO and the Thai government has focused on enhancing the SSO’s research capabilities and improving its actuarial and policy-making processes. By bolstering the SSO’s ability to conduct rigorous actuarial analysis and develop evidence-based policies, the project has helped the organization better anticipate and meet the social security needs of Thailand’s workforce.

Simon Brimblecombe, Chief Technical Adviser and Head of the Actuarial Services Unit at the ILO, emphasized the importance of these advancements: “By equipping the SSO with the necessary tools and knowledge, we have strengthened their ability to make evidence-based decisions that will benefit millions of Thai workers in the years to come.”

Among the project’s significant milestones was the establishment of a functioning Actuarial Bureau within the SSO. This bureau has played a critical role in strengthening the SSO’s investment policies, leading to improved investment management and governance practices.

Additionally, the project conducted extensive research to identify challenges in extending social security coverage to key sectors such as transportation, construction, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on the food and beverage industry.

"The insights gained from this research provide a roadmap for expanding coverage to workers who are currently underserved," said Krittaphat Krutkul, Inspector of the SSO. "We look forward to implementing these recommendations to achieve concrete outcomes."

The project has also benefited from the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders, including government institutions, employers, workers' organizations, and academic institutions, further enhancing its impact and ensuring a comprehensive approach to strengthening social security in Thailand.