The tripartite wage committee has decided to delay any decision on raising the minimum wage due to the economic uncertainty linked to tensions in the Middle East and fluctuating energy prices. Labour permanent secretary Pol Lt Col Wannapong Kotcharak announced this after the committee's meeting, where it was agreed that the current global situation requires cautious consideration before making any wage adjustments.
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The decision to defer follows a comprehensive review of economic conditions across the country. The scheduled discussion on revisiting the minimum wage was postponed, reflecting the committee's consensus on the need for prudence given the potential economic impacts of the Middle East conflict. Wannapong emphasized that the delay does not eliminate the possibility of a wage increase later in the year—highlighting the need to wait for more stable conditions.
In the meantime, the Labour Ministry will continue to gather necessary economic data at various levels, with provincial wage committees playing a key role in future assessments. Rising production costs, especially due to fuel prices and export challenges, were reported by both employers and employees. To address these issues, the Labour Ministry plans to propose cost-reduction and tax relief measures to the government.
A representative from the Finance Ministry indicated that assistance strategies are currently being developed. The wage committee is scheduled to meet again on April 21 to discuss broader policies, although a minimum wage review is not on the immediate agenda. Data collection by provincial subcommittees will continue to inform future decisions, reported Bangkok Post.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 18 Mar 2026