FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Grab awards Bt1m in scholarships to drivers’ children

Grab awards Bt1m in scholarships to drivers’ children

Grab has awarded scholarship grants totaling Bt1 million to 200 of its driver-partners’ children to support their education needs, the company said in a press release issued on Thursday.

In a joint ceremony held together with the Social Security Office under the Ministry of Labour, Grab also announced it is contributing three months of social security payments to 200 of its driver-partners. 
At the event, representatives from the Social Security Office also shared useful information on social security coverage to help driver-partners better understand their rights and privileges.
“We know that nothing is more important to our driver-partners than their families. They work really hard so that they can provide a better future for their children. Hence beyond taking care of the welfare of our driver-partners, we want to help them care for their families too. As part of that, we hope to help lighten the load of their responsibilities by supporting their kids’ education. At the same time, we want to remind our driver-partners not to neglect their own well-being. That’s why we would like to encourage them to participate in the government’s social security program - to give their loved one’s peace of mind,” Tarin Thaniyavarn, Country Head of Grab Thailand said.
This is Grab’s second ‘Grab the Future’ initiative. The first round of scholarships was awarded in May this year, to 100 children of Grab’s driver-partners. For the second ‘Grab the Future’ program, beyond the scholarships, Grab has also partnered with the Social Security Office under the Ministry of Labour to encourage more of Grab’s driver-partners to apply for social security under Section 40 of Thai law, under which they will receive compensation for medical expenses, accidents, and other welfare benefits. Grab is contributing three months’ worth of social security to 200 driver-partners, with the driver-partners themselves choosing the plans they can afford in the long run.
Aumpun Thuvavit, Deputy Secretary-General of the Social Security Office said: “We are truly glad that Grab Thailand is piloting this initiative by encouraging its driver-partners to apply for social security under Section 40 and supporting the drivers’ social security contributions. 
“We also appreciate Grab’s invitation for our Social Security specialist to give a lecture today to encourage independent contractors to be in the social security system under Section 40. 
“The insured will receive welfare benefits including compensation for medical expenses, accidents leading to disabilities, and more social security coverage. Our focus is to give Thai people better life assurance and reducing inequality without leaving anyone behind.”
Recipients of the social security contributions were selected based on the criteria that the driver-partner would need to have been with Grab for at least two years or shown exceptional performance over a period of six months, as well as have high passenger ratings. Recipients for the scholarships were chosen under similar criteria, with the additional requirement that the driver-partner have children studying in K-12 level in 2018 or pursuing an undergraduate degree in 2019.

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