Uncertainty Over Thailand's Proposed 400 Baht Minimum Wage Hike

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The proposed plan to implement a 400 baht national minimum wage by May 1 remains uncertain, as Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, Labour Ministry’s permanent secretary, confirmed the issue is not on the current agenda. Despite Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn’s initiative to benefit workers, discussions at the final meeting of the current Wage Board lacked focus on this proposal.

 

Boonsong chaired the meeting on March 12, before the term’s end on March 13. The meeting, with three of its 15 members absent, included topics like the old-age pension formula and recent regional minimum wage impacts, yet it fell short of addressing the nationwide wage increase directly.

 

The Wage Board's analysis involves assessing the economic impact of the recent 400 baht minimum wage trial in selected provinces and soliciting feedback on its sufficiency and challenges faced by employers and employees. The board extended its task to review wages across specific technical professions, adhering to skill standards.

 

 

With the board’s term concluded, it will operate in a caretaker role until a new board convenes. Boonsong reassures ongoing operations will remain undisrupted, aligning with legal obligations. Although not on the immediate agenda, the 400 baht minimum wage remains under consideration, hinging on economic conditions and gradual enforcement.

 

Boonsong expressed the commitment to adhering to board resolutions, aiming to meet the May 1 deadline set by the labour minister. Yet, the transition to a new board appears to be a critical factor in determining the policy's progression, reinforcing the approach of aligning wage adjustments with economic assessments, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-13

 

 

[JoePai]

Well fancy that   🤣

[ikke1959]

Now I am wondering when the people don't accept the peanuts they earn anymore.. If you see how the prices are rising.. in France Marie Antoinette said " let them eat cake", as the people were  starving and that triggered the revolution.... 

[daveAustin]

^… only so far it can go though until prices rise wholesale proper. which then hurts the minimum wage people. Economics 101. There are also typically double or more the number of staff here than you’d see in a western shop. Wages will have to rise steadily in kind with making the workforce more efficient and harder working. 😙

[sidjameson]

How many low skilled immigrant workers are there in Thailand?

What surprises me is that the decades long collapse of the fertility rate, leading to far fewer workers entering the labour market hasn't led to a natural increase in the unskilled pay rate.