Employee Welfare Fund (EWF)

Thailand’s New Employee Financial Protection Scheme Effective from 1 October 2026

📢 This Article Has Been Updated

The information in this article is based on the previous regulations. For the latest updates on the Employee Welfare Fund (EWF), including the revised enforcement date of 1 October 2026, please read the updated article below.

👉 Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) Thailand: Complete HR & Employer Guide (2026)

Employee Welfare Fund (EWF)

The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) is Thailand’s new employee financial protection scheme, scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2026.

What is the Employee Welfare Fund?

The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) was established under Section 126 of the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) and is administered by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare.

Its primary objectives are to:

• Provide financial protection for employees when employment ends or in the event of death during employment.
• Build long-term savings that employees can receive after leaving employment.
• Reduce employers’ burden in providing employee welfare benefits.

Who Must Join the Employee Welfare Fund?

Employers with 10 or more employees are required to register eligible employees as members of the Employee Welfare Fund.

Employers Exempt from the Fund

The following employers are exempt:

• Organizations that provide a Provident Fund under the Provident Fund Act B.E. 2530 (1987)
• Organizations operating their own employee welfare scheme in accordance with the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567 (2024)
• Foundations, associations, and non-profit organizations

How Should Employers Prepare?

Employers should prepare by:

• Reviewing the number of employees to determine whether registration is required.
• Preparing employee records and registration information.
• Updating the payroll system to automatically calculate employee contributions and employer contributions.
• Planning the company budget for employer contributions.
• Communicating employee benefits and fund information to staff.
• Preparing the contribution submission process to ensure timely compliance.

Contribution Rates and Payment Rules

Contribution Rates

2025–2030

• Employee contribution: 0.25% of wages
• Employer contribution: 0.25% of wages

From 2030 onward

• Employee contribution: 0.50% of wages
• Employer contribution: 0.50% of wages

Contributions are calculated based on the employee’s total wages, including monthly salaries, daily wages, and performance-based compensation.

Contribution Process

Employers are required to:

• Deduct employee contributions directly from each payroll cycle.
• Contribute the employer’s portion according to the prescribed rate.
• Submit both employee and employer contributions to the fund by the 15th of the following month.

What Happens If Employers Fail to Submit Contributions?

Failure to comply may result in:

• A surcharge of 5% per month on overdue contributions.
• A written notice issued by Labour Inspectors requiring payment within 30 days.
• Legal penalties for failure to submit required information or providing false information, including:
  
  • Imprisonment for up to 6 months, or
  • A fine of up to THB 10,000, or
  • Both imprisonment and a fine.

When Will Employees Receive Benefits?

Employees may receive benefits from the Employee Welfare Fund when:

• Resigning from employment
• Retiring
• Completing an employment contract
• Being terminated
• Leaving employment for any other reason

If an employee passes away, the benefit will be paid to the designated beneficiary.

Alternatives for Employers

Employers may choose not to participate in the Employee Welfare Fund if they provide:

• A Provident Fund under the Provident Fund Act B.E. 2530 (1987), or
• An employee welfare scheme established under the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567 (2024), with clearly documented policies and procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Employees who have not yet joined the company’s Provident Fund must contribute to the Employee Welfare Fund from their first month of employment.
• Once employees become members of the Provident Fund, Employee Welfare Fund contributions may cease.
• If employees leave the Provident Fund, Employee Welfare Fund contributions must resume.

Summary

The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) is a new financial protection scheme designed to provide employees with long-term savings and financial security after employment.

Employers should begin preparing for registration, payroll adjustments, and contribution management before the enforcement date of 1 October 2026.

Reference

Department of Labour Protection and Welfare

https://protection.labour.go.th/