Minimum Wage Is Not The Only Issue For Workers: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Minimum wage is not the only issue for workers

The Nation

A decent living wage is essential, but our workforce also needs protection of rights and training to increase productivity and capacity

BANGKOK: -- Workers nationwide should celebrate this Labour Day with pride, for the occasion should remind us of the contribution needed for the betterment of society. Every worker plays his or her role in building this country by fulfilling an individual role. Salaried professionals or blue-collar workers all play an indispensable part in furthering the country's development.

Many workers risk their lives in their everyday tasks. They include high-rise construction workers, factory workers and miners, and we have witnessed how hazardous their occupations can be. Employers and welfare authorities should ensure that these workers receive the compensation they duly deserve.

This Labour Day comes one month after the Bt300 daily minimum wage was applied nationwide. Setting aside the debate over the long-term economic consequences of this issue, the wage rise represents further social recognition of the contribution of labour. Thai society and the economy could not have progressed this far without the contribution or ordinary working men and women.

Our workers should be able in work in a decent environment. Many surveys have shown that if workers are happy in their work, their productivity will improve. This leads to win-win results for both workers and employers.

Some occupations have a negative and lasting health impact, especially for those who have to work in dangerous environments or deal with hazardous materials such as chemicals. Too many workers are still being injured or permanently handicapped because of their work. Many victims of work-related accidents do not receive proper compensation or re-training to enable them to re-enter the job market. Some are left permanently unemployed, and their families suffer as a result. Opportunities in education and job training are essential in helping people to climb the ladder of social mobility.

The discussion over workers and workers' rights has lately been dominated by the issue of the minimum wage level. Employers, the government and labour activists should instead focus on other aspects such as how to improve the livelihood of workers in a sustainable manner by improving knowledge and capacity. The minimum wage should not be the only bargaining tool for Thai workers. Our workers should be equipped with abilities and skills that will be more effective in pressing employers to increase payment commensurate with performance, regardless of the level of the minimum wage.

Workers should also have access to training to improve their expertise, even in learning to become an entrepreneur. The government and employers should provide training facilities to help workers survive and thrive amidst a rapidly changing economic situation.

Thai workers increasingly face many challenges and they can no longer be complacent. The pattern of industrial production has changed. Certain technologies now have a shorter lifespan, and technology is increasingly enabling machinery to replace the human workforce, especially when employers feel that the cost of hiring workers is higher than using machinery. In addition, Thai industries and workers are now facing stiffer competition from emerging economies. The recent and ongoing political developments in Myanmar have turned our once-isolated neighbour into an investment darling due to its rich resources and cheaper workforce. It will be almost impossible for Thai industries and workers to stay competitive if we fail to change.

The opening up of the regional job market in line with the advent of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) will also create a big battlefield for Thai industries and workers. The AEC, set to be fully realised in 2015, will promote the freer flow of workers' movement in the regional grouping.

The debate in Thailand on the amount of the minimum wage will not help our economy to thrive in the long run. Our workers should be able to work with dignity and integrity, in the knowledge that their worth is not only defined by the minimum amount they earn.

-- The Nation 2012-05-01

[MaxLee]

The problem is simply, "Top-to-Bottom-approach", most people with high status are simply looking down on their employees, to enrich themselves on their expense.

The income gap between rich and poor has increased as well. Those who have power, can abuse it in anyway through corruptive schemes to bail themselves and their related family members out to save their sorry face out of trouble. As long as these issues are not addressed, their won't be any justice here in Thailand...

[hellodolly]

leaving minimum wages aside. I agree that there should be action to improve the working standards people have to work in. Many industrial accidents occur as a result of inadequacy of protection.

Where I came from they have a workers compensation board with strict safety requirements that they enforced.

Even enforcing them there was still accidents.

[MEL1]

Workers nationwide should celebrate this Labour Day with pride, for the occasion should remind us of the contribution needed for the betterment of society.

Events should be celebrated when they have been delivered, and not when they are still needed.

What a ridiculous opening line!

-mel.

[phl]

For starters, workers should ACTUALLY have the desire to improve their skills.

Why would any business invest time and money into someone when they go MIA or resign after getting some experience, or mama/papa sick, or bf/gf come to town, or other problems with buffaloes etc etc etc