Minimum Wages Set To Rise Marginally

[george]

Minimum wage rise 'surprise'

BANGKOK: -- Minimum wages are set to rise marginally later this month, but so will public bus fares and other necessities as Thais brace for a higher cost of living driven mainly by the increase in oil and other commodity prices.

Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong said yesterday she expected a "surprise" on the minimum-wage rise. A decision will be made tomorrow by the Tripartite Wage Committee, representing employees, employers and the government.

Workers have demanded a Bt5-Bt9 increase in their daily wage, which ranges from Bt144 to Bt194 depending on the province, with Bangkok currently paying the highest rate at Bt194.

Labour Ministry permanent secretary Juthathawat Intharasuksri, who earlier chaired a meeting of the tripartite body, said the daily increase could be in the Bt5-Bt9 range.

Udomsak Bupphanimitr, an organiser of today's May Day rally at the Royal Plaza, said the Tripartite Wage Committee should have made the decision on the wage raise on Tuesday.

Udomsak also said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had displayed no interest in the welfare of wage earners, as he declined to preside over today's opening ceremony of the workers' rally.

As for public bus fares, Land Transport deputy director-general Chairat Sa-nguanchuen said the government would shortly allow bus operators to raise fares to reflect higher operating costs.

"The last time we adjusted the fares was October 2007, when diesel was Bt27.30 per litre. Now, it has gone up to Bt33.30 per litre, a rise of Bt6 or more than 20 per cent," he said.

Chairat said a proper decision on fare increases could be made on May 15.

--TNA 2008-04-30

[lazeeboy]

the minimum wage in thailand is a joke ,most companies can pay a lot more ,but seeing the government set the wages so low the bosses take advantage ,i've had some of my staff for as long as 10 years and pay them way above the minium..thai's ought to do the same

[Martian]

the minimum wage in thailand is a joke ,most companies can pay a lot more ,but seeing the government set the wages so low the bosses take advantage ,i've had some of my staff for as long as 10 years and pay them way above the minium..thai's ought to do the same

Most business owner/managers see it as their job to get people for as little as possible. Even though one might justify that from a business side, wages certainly should be viewed in context with the big picture. Such as: where is the business located, how well is the business operating and just how important is my investment in my employees. I managed a manufacturing facility a few years ago out in the countryside and I made sure we were always above minimum wage if even only by a few Baht. It shows the company does care.

Regards,

Martian

Edited April 30, 2008 by Martian

[geriatrickid]

The minimum wage isn't even a living wage. All it is, is an attempt to keep some employers from exploiting workers more than they are exploited now. Not that it stops some employers, as there is a ready supply of Burmese slave errr migrant labour that can be paid less. 5-9bh is an insult.

[Heng]

I made sure we were always above minimum wage if even only by a few Baht. It shows the company does care.

My philosophy as well. Another thing that shows people that the company really cares... running water to employee restrooms. Yeah, they'll inevitably gawk at the automatic flush toilets for a few weeks, but they are quick to adapt and all the happier for it.

[Martian]

I made sure we were always above minimum wage if even only by a few Baht. It shows the company does care.

My philosophy as well. Another thing that shows people that the company really cares... running water to employee restrooms. Yeah, they'll inevitably gawk at the automatic flush toilets for a few weeks, but they are quick to adapt and all the happier for it.

As well, I was successful in convincing the local labor board that working the standard 48 hours in 5 days without paying overtime was advantageous for the employees. Of course the employees had to agree 100% for it to happen but boy did they love 2 holidays each week, not having to spend money on gas, food (away from home) and possibly a babysitter on that extra day. Not to mention the family time they gained. We came in 30 minutes early, took 30 minute lunch instead of a full hour and stayed 30 minutes later. We gave up a half hour to each employee every week but productivity gains more than paid for it.

The next biggest benefit was that we as a company, was the place of choice to work. Hey you wanna work 6 days a week or 5?

Regards,

Martian

Edited May 1, 2008 by Martian

[Heng]

I've found that a free cafeteria (with a 1 bag take home limit) has always been a good booster to employee morale. Especially when most companies here do not.

True, it's not like dining at Google, but it is all you can eat (at work).

[Seneque]

It's not always the money... if workers are happy working in a good environment were they actually think they are taking care of, they will stay and work hard and productivity will soar ... and then you can increase their fare ... i would say ...: first welfare, then money

[george]

Update:

Some 3,000 workers rally outside Government House

BANGKOK: -- About 3,000 workers rallied outside Government House Thursday to demand a government guarantee that their daily minimum wage would be Bt233 nationwide.

The workers from many labour umbrella groups also ridiculed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government, saying the coalition has been wasting its time trying to amend the Constitution instead of working for the benefits of workers.

They also called on the government to amend the Labour Relations Act and control the prices of consumers' goods.

-- The Nation 2008-05-01

[george]

Samak promises wage increase

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Thursday promised laborours nationwide that his government would push for the increases of their daily minimum wages.

In his speech to mark the Labour Day, Samak said consideration was being made on the right increase rate, which should not affect most people.

He said his government was also encouraging employers to increase pays for workers who have been employed more than one year and to increase pays for workers annually in line with their performance.

-- The Nation 2008-05-01

[marshbags]

Samak promises wage increase

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Thursday promised laborours nationwide that his government would push for the increases of their daily minimum wages.

In his speech to mark the Labour Day, Samak said consideration was being made on the right increase rate, which should not affect most people.

He said his government was also encouraging employers to increase pays for workers who have been employed more than one year and to increase pays for workers annually in line with their performance.

-- The Nation 2008-05-01

Bangkok Post, General news >> Thursday May 01, 2008

EDITORIAL

Nine baht is not too much

Wage earners do not appear to be in high spirits for the Labour Day celebrations today. Apparently they are very unhappy that their hopes for a minimal wage adjustment _ to just nine baht more a day _ have been dashed simply because four employer representatives on the tripartite Central Wage Committee failed to show up for the meeting, resulting in the committee falling short of the required quorum.

The conduct of the four employer representatives who failed to show up, without prior notification of their absence (it was reported they were on overseas trips) does not augur well for good labour relations.

Unquote.

Ref. url :- http://www.bangkokpost.com/010508_News/01May2008_news95.php

No further comment needed, other than this sums the general attitude towards most employees nicely and is what life as a worker is thought to be worthy of.

FTW,s comes to mind

marshbags.

Not a condescending observation............................

Heng and other posters are among a minority along with several employers, i am acquainted with when it comes to not just mouthing off as Samak continually does

But genuinely trying to make a difference in the workplace.

Edited May 1, 2008 by marshbags

[jayjayjayjay]

the minimum wage in thailand is a joke ,most companies can pay a lot more ,but seeing the government set the wages so low the bosses take advantage ,i've had some of my staff for as long as 10 years and pay them way above the minium..thai's ought to do the same

Speak for yourself. we are garment based, 700 staff, and competing with China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The minmum wage is very very important to us. As with you, we have many staff 10yrs plus on money way above the minimum, however, maintaining our competitiveness is a fine balance between what we can do to attract and keep labour relative to OTHER factories in our coverage area. We have survived so far, we are thankful of the controlled increase in minimum wage in Thailand, we support the policy and are now seeing benefits(and greater competitiveness) against rising costs in China. We may not have made our staff rich, but we have provided years security for those that have stuck with us. It would take less than 2 months to fully relocate to Vietnam, we don't want too and hope we don't have too.

[Payboy]

upgrading skills and investing in technology would be one way of raising the average wage of workers in any country - sorry, it's not going to happen here at least for this generation....

[exexpat]

9 baht per day? Come on! When 400 g of uncooked chicken breast rose from 30 baht to 55 baht at tesco, u suddenly realize how little this is. Plus, non-Thais like Burmese, Cambodians, don't even make minimum. If Samak had any balls, he would double the minimum and raise it again by half in 2 years. Minimum wage earners should just go on strike, all of them at the same time. The country would crumble. Make all the Mercedes owners toil in the heat, I'd like to see that.

Edited May 2, 2008 by exexpat

[Ijustwannateach]

It would be nice to see government focussing on the public good for just a little while rather than factional politics.

[Plus]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Thursday promised laborours nationwide that his government would push for the increases of their daily minimum wages.

In his speech to mark the Labour Day, Samak said consideration was being made on the right increase rate, which should not affect most people.

Excuse me?

Is he saying that they are working hard to make sure their proposed wage increase affects as few people as possible?

Is he unusually honest or just plain dumb?

[Heng]

9 baht per day? Come on! When 400 g of uncooked chicken breast rose from 30 baht to 55 baht at tesco, u suddenly realize how little this is. Plus, non-Thais like Burmese, Cambodians, don't even make minimum. If Samak had any balls, he would double the minimum and raise it again by half in 2 years. Minimum wage earners should just go on strike, all of them at the same time. The country would crumble. Make all the Mercedes owners toil in the heat, I'd like to see that.

Minimum wage earners are more likely "shopping" for lower grade food items from food pickup trucks and open air markets. Because of a nearly perpetual cheap rice surplus (until now that is), they have pretty much always been a rather "full" group of poor people.

[SamuiJens]

What is the new wage per hour? 9baht????

[Heng]

And yet somehow minimum wage earners find funds to play not only the 1st and 16th lotteries, but the daily stock market lotteries. Somehow they find funds to keep on buying Boonrawd and ThaiBev products.

[chuck_s]

And yet somehow minimum wage earners find funds to play not only the 1st and 16th lotteries, but the daily stock market lotteries. Somehow they find funds to keep on buying Boonrawd and ThaiBev products.

This min. raise is a joke to thai people in general. Just throwing out a few thb or peanuts to the people, and the Thai government thinks that they will be happy.

[Heng]

If they aren't happy, why do they always seem to be partying?

[Smithson]

the minimum wage in thailand is a joke ,most companies can pay a lot more ,but seeing the government set the wages so low the bosses take advantage ,i've had some of my staff for as long as 10 years and pay them way above the minium..thai's ought to do the same

Speak for yourself. we are garment based, 700 staff, and competing with China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The minmum wage is very very important to us. As with you, we have many staff 10yrs plus on money way above the minimum, however, maintaining our competitiveness is a fine balance between what we can do to attract and keep labour relative to OTHER factories in our coverage area. We have survived so far, we are thankful of the controlled increase in minimum wage in Thailand, we support the policy and are now seeing benefits(and greater competitiveness) against rising costs in China. We may not have made our staff rich, but we have provided years security for those that have stuck with us. It would take less than 2 months to fully relocate to Vietnam, we don't want too and hope we don't have too.

You are in a difficult position, I don't see how competing is possible. We also do garments, but in our case the quantities are low and mark up high. It's a niche market, I don't see how anything else is possible here. We also pay well above the min., as we need employees who think a bit more and not just huge production runs.

I've found seamstresses to be hard workers and reliable, unlike other staff they rarely quit or take sick days (even though we pay if they have a Dr. certificate). We pay decent overtime and are staff want to work 12 hr days 6 days a week! Personally I think it's too much and don't allow it.

Anyone who thinks Thais are lazy should visit a garment factory.

[Sam125]

My wife has a small luxury export garment business and in the Korat countryside we find that expert seamstresses that can think for themselves is very difficult to find at any wage. We have a starting wage of 200 baht for 8 hours and time and a half for over-time. Plus various bonuses for attendence and learning new skills, finding new workers etc.. We would be happy to pay 400 to 500 baht a day for loyal skilled workers.

Perhaps we need to move to Korat or Bangkok?

[Smithson]

My wife has a small luxury export garment business and in the Korat countryside we find that expert seamstresses that can think for themselves is very difficult to find at any wage. We have a starting wage of 200 baht for 8 hours and time and a half for over-time. Plus various bonuses for attendence and learning new skills, finding new workers etc.. We would be happy to pay 400 to 500 baht a day for loyal skilled workers.

Perhaps we need to move to Korat or Bangkok?

Don't move! We have the exact same problem, work hard but can't make patterns, tell others what to do etc. I'm actually considering reducing the workforce because I have to oversee almost everything.

This is the big problem for Thailand. Plenty of basic laborers, plenty of ppl with uni degrees, but very few who can actually do something without being told every step of the way. This is really impeding their development.

[wolfmanjack]

What is the new wage per hour? 9baht????

Let's not forget that there was already an increase implemented on January one of this year.

"Unskilled workers in Bangkok and eight surrounding provinces will receive a nine baht increase in their daily wages to 203 baht ($6.44) from the 194 baht rate implemented in January this year."

The new rate for Chiang Mai will be 168 baht per day. That would be about 21 baht an hour for Chiang Mai and almost 26 baht per hour for Bangkok.

The one thing that most of these people writing in the paper forget is that the wage needed to survive depends on how far away the job is from your home. For those that leave their home to go to bangkok will need to pay for a place to live, higher food costs etc. Those that work within walking distance from their home do not have transportation costs and most own their own home such that it is.

In my case every one of my workers are either from the village my factory is in or they live on my property with free rent, water and electricity.

The other thing that most of these people are forgetting is that for many people in thailand a low wage job is better than no job at all.

One article in the Bangkok Post said that the employers should pay the workers more and upgrade their machinery to save costs. In my case if i upgrade my machinery i can get by with half the workers i have now. The whole point of opening a factory in thailand was to take advantage of the low labor costs and make products by hand instead of by machine. When the minimum wage gets to the point where it is cost effective to buy new machines instead then there will be fewer jobs since the new factories will not open here and the old factories will upgrade their machinery to replace workers.

[wolfmanjack]

My wife has a small luxury export garment business and in the Korat countryside we find that expert seamstresses that can think for themselves is very difficult to find at any wage. We have a starting wage of 200 baht for 8 hours and time and a half for over-time. Plus various bonuses for attendence and learning new skills, finding new workers etc.. We would be happy to pay 400 to 500 baht a day for loyal skilled workers.

Perhaps we need to move to Korat or Bangkok?

Don't move! We have the exact same problem, work hard but can't make patterns, tell others what to do etc. I'm actually considering reducing the workforce because I have to oversee almost everything.

This is the big problem for Thailand. Plenty of basic laborers, plenty of ppl with uni degrees, but very few who can actually do something without being told every step of the way. This is really impeding their development.

Don't forget the people who are under the impression that they do know how to think and try to "improve" your product. I get workers that change the color because they think it looks nicer or change the way that it is assembled to save time. Not to mention the money wasted by mistakes like cutting the material too short.

[Smithson]

My wife has a small luxury export garment business and in the Korat countryside we find that expert seamstresses that can think for themselves is very difficult to find at any wage. We have a starting wage of 200 baht for 8 hours and time and a half for over-time. Plus various bonuses for attendence and learning new skills, finding new workers etc.. We would be happy to pay 400 to 500 baht a day for loyal skilled workers.

Perhaps we need to move to Korat or Bangkok?

Don't move! We have the exact same problem, work hard but can't make patterns, tell others what to do etc. I'm actually considering reducing the workforce because I have to oversee almost everything.

This is the big problem for Thailand. Plenty of basic laborers, plenty of ppl with uni degrees, but very few who can actually do something without being told every step of the way. This is really impeding their development.

Don't forget the people who are under the impression that they do know how to think and try to "improve" your product. I get workers that change the color because they think it looks nicer or change the way that it is assembled to save time. Not to mention the money wasted by mistakes like cutting the material too short.

Yes, also a problem, especially the color changes. The worst part is I'm happy that they're thinking and would love to hear their ideas, but instead they just go for it. If they get in trouble for it they'll never do it again.

One thing that really surprises me is the rush to work in Bangkok. I think there are jobs back home and, all things considered, the money might work out to be even better. Renting and buying food in Bkk is expensive, the quality of life isn't that great. Often I think they want to get away from their parents, because even though they're adults, they're still expected to do what they're told.

[Heng]

One thing that really surprises me is the rush to work in Bangkok. I think there are jobs back home and, all things considered, the money might work out to be even better. Renting and buying food in Bkk is expensive, the quality of life isn't that great.

It's no contest between the amount of jobs available in Bangkok and the countryside.

[Sam125]

Well, I feel a little better knowing that others are having the same challenges.

I can't help but think in western ways - more money etc.. My wife says that is not the answer as we offer a high (for Isan) starting wage with no limits for skilled workers.

We have also noticed that she will train in a certain skill and they do ok, then they are trained in a new skill and do ok. The problem arises when they go back to skill #1....