Some 5.5 million workers in Thailand, employed in factories, trade and services sectors are entitled to receive the governments minimum wage of Bt300/day, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
The figure was disclosed to Federation of Thai Industries FTI chairman Payungsak Chartsuthipol in an informal discussion with ministry permanent secretary Somkiat Chayasriwong and Skill Development Department director-general Jiraporn Kesornsujarit.FTI agreed with the wage rise, the chairman said, but informed the ministry it should have strategies affecting entrepreneurs the least, particularly small and medium-sized entreprises SMEs, while asking the Labour Ministry to allow SMEs wage rise for tax deduction.
FTI also wanted the adjustment period of 3-4 years for the wage hike in order to adapt with the market mechanism. However, the labour ministry has not responded to this request. The two organisations initially agreed to work together to prepare labours readiness with, for instance, an orientation for new workers and skill development training for existing workers, while increasing labour potential would be a medium-term strategy.
The Labour Ministry and FTI still differently define income, Mr Payungsak said.The ministry views it as the daily wage, whereas FTI sees it should include other welfares offered to workers in regards to the earning. As many entrepreneurs already provide some welfare to their workers, the chairman viewed they would face difficulties in adjusting the wage and did not agree if any existing welfare was to be cut.
via 5.5 million workers entitled to Bt300/day minimum wage.
The private sector has expressed its concern over the plan of the new Pheu Thai-led government to raise minimum wage to 300 baht per day across the country, saying that the measure will prompt an increase of 140 billion baht a year to the capital labor cost.
Thai Chamber of Commerce TCC Vice-Chairperson Pongsak Assakul said the domestic private sector and a number of foreign investors have already been worried about the huge impact from the upcoming government’s policy on the production cost.
Higher wages will do Thailand much good
The recent debate over proposed changes to the statutory minimum wage in Thailand demonstrates the central importance of wages in a society and economy. Indeed, this may be an ideal opportunity for workers, employers and government to discuss the bigger picture of wages in general _ not only minimum wages _ and the policies that determine them.
Wages are at the heart of the International Labour Organisation’s mandate. The ILO believe it is timely to offer some dispassionate views on wages in Thailand based on facts and figures available, and with reference to international labour standards developed over the past 90 years by member states, including Thailand, which is a founding member.
