มาตรการเยียวยากลุ่มผู้ประกันตนตามมาตรา 33 ในสถานการณ์การแพร่ระบาดของเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 (COVID-19) ในพื้นที่อำเภอเมือง จังหวัดลำพูน

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) study the government’s measures for assisting the insured individuals under Section 33, who were affected by the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, and 2) to study problems and obstacles of the relief measure for social security insurers under Section 33 in Mueang district, Lamphun province. The study results revealed that 1) the relief measure for social security insurers under Section 33 according to opinions of insurers in Mueang district, Lamphun province who received a subsidy of 4,000 baht was divided into 4 areas as follow: The context related to knowledge and understanding of the relief measure for social security insurers under Section 33 – the pandemic of COVID-19 affected their livelihood a lot. As for knowledge and understanding, it was found that insurers knew and understood the purpose of the relief measure. They studied procedures and were able to register by themselves. As for input factors, methods, and preparedness for requesting for the relief, insurers had a smartphone for the registration, they lived in the areas with a stable internet connection and understood how to receive a subsidy through the application. In terms of process, public relations, duration of information checking, and money transfer, the government transferred money via Pao Tang application on the specified date. Information checking was delayed. People were able to request for reviewing their eligibility. The conduct of public relations of information regarding relief measures was not consistent. With regard to output, the subsidy provided could alleviate their burden of expenses during the crisis. The registration procedures were easily to understand and the timing of spending the money was suitable. The money from the relief measure was unable to improve their quality of life. 2. With regard to problems and obstacles of the relief measure for social security insurers under Section 33 in Mueang district, Lamphun province, from 400 respondents of the questionnaire, there were 195 insurers under Section 33 who did not receive the subsidy from the relief measure. The major cause was most insurers did know the details about the relief measure, they failed to register in time, and their qualifications did not meet the conditions, such as not having Thai nationality or being eligible to receive a subsidy from other government projects. With reference to opinions and suggestions of the sample about a guideline for solving problems and obstacles for implementing the relief measure in Mueang district, Lamphun province, (1) in case of those who received the subsidy, the government should continue to help them until the domestic economic situation was better since some people were affected by the pandemic of COVID-19. Additionally, the government should allocate a budget for the relief to meet the number of people in trouble, (2) in case of those who did not receive the subsidy, they viewed that the government should provide assistance to cover all insurers since everyone suffered from the situation. Therefore, all of them were eligible to receive the government assistance equally without having to fight over the registration. Besides, the government should give importance to workers of other nationalities. Though they were not eligible for the subsidy like Thai nationality workers, the situation caused them to live in difficulty, the government should consider a guideline for providing assistance to them in an appropriate way, such as reducing the fee for renewal of non-Thai identification card (a pink ID card) to help reduce their burden of everyday expenses.