Thailand's Q2 unemployment rate stands at 0.95%, with long-term joblessness rising 11.3% to 8.1 million people. A new Employee Assistance Fund law begins October 1, requiring over 107,000 businesses (80.7% of employers with 10+ staff) to contribute, covering 5.7 million workers. Government warns most employees lack awareness of severance rights and urges education for employers and staff to ensure proper benefit delivery. Agricultural employment faces additional risk from El Niño phenomena.