Workers in Thailand Seek Minimum Wage of 360 Baht

[bangon04]

"A recent study shows that 90% of workers are currently supporting another person that has no income."

Yep that sounds plausible.... behind many hard-working Thai women lies at least one drunken hammock swinger...

[Oziex1]

Why are there so many Myanmar and others working here.

[wabothai]

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A hourly rate for pay would make more sense ,
so people working 12 hours will get more than people working 8

You won't get a Thai working on an hourly basis. I have tried for years.

Basically they want a monthly salary. And all of us know why.

[trogers]

Why are there so many Myanmar and others working here.

Because they work!

[Srikcir]

A higher minimum wage is well justified in Thailand.

BUT unlikely to happen :

- The country is entering into an economic depression with likely zero GDP growth rate and further devaluation of the baht to 35-38/USD by 2015Q3.

- The Junta has spent much of the treasury on quick cash handouts to quell protests by coup supporters.

- The Junta has given pay raises to government employees

- The Junta government is bloated with nonproductive "reformers"

- Junta appointed officers receiving double/triple pay filling both military and civilian roles

- Junta clone organizations are employing family members for noncritical duties

- Junta is throwing low income people out of work with "reforms"

- Abuse of Article 44 powers may drive foreign businesses and capital out of Thailand

- Thailand's agricultural industry is not cost effective

- Government tax collections are failing

- The Junta will allow LESS than minimum wages to be paid in special development zones.

The economic damage brought to the Thai economy in 2013-2015 by anti-government protests and military coup will take several years to recover. In that time the poor and low income may find better opportunity outside of Thailand.

[stoli]

Now we watch all of the posters that have always been given a paycheck say "Give them more". What an easy thing to say, when you have never had to issue a paycheck. You risk all of your savings to give someone else a job, (with a paycheck), and maybe break even, or lose money for years. The employer in most cases works for free for many years without receiving any money at all. Those that have been receiving a paycheck all of their lives have risked nothing, and think that owning a business is so easy. Thai's received a raise of 25% last year, 240 baht per day to 300 baht per day,and they are asking for another 20% this year. You say, "Go for it. They deserve it". The person struggling in their own business, breaking even or losing money, has to decide to shut the doors. You say "Oh, they were not good businessmen", when you have never been a businessman, and don't know what it takes to be one. Your thinking that wages can just keep increasing are what has ruined so many jobs around the world, and have been a great benefit to the Chinese economy. People that just have just collected a paycheck all of their lives probably don't have a stand on this issue. Pick another fight with something you understand, and you will feel better.

[JOC]

A higher minimum wage is well justified in Thailand.

BUT unlikely to happen :

- The country is entering into an economic depression with likely zero GDP growth rate and further devaluation of the baht to 35-38/USD by 2015Q3.

- The Junta has spent much of the treasury on quick cash handouts to quell protests by coup supporters.

- The Junta has given pay raises to government employees

- The Junta government is bloated with nonproductive "reformers"

- Junta appointed officers receiving double/triple pay filling both military and civilian roles

- Junta clone organizations are employing family members for noncritical duties

- Junta is throwing low income people out of work with "reforms"

- Abuse of Article 44 powers may drive foreign businesses and capital out of Thailand

- Thailand's agricultural industry is not cost effective

- Government tax collections are failing

- The Junta will allow LESS than minimum wages to be paid in special development zones.

The economic damage brought to the Thai economy in 2013-2015 by anti-government protests and military coup will take several years to recover. In that time the poor and low income may find better opportunity outside of Thailand.

One minor detail:

During half of the period you mention, Yingluck and her PTP were in power!!

Back to the drawing board............

[Dannyboy666]

All a higher minimum wage will do is put more people out of work, here in the North the rice cutters have been mainly replaced by machines

as its quicker and less expensive,than employing people at 300bht per day, this is also happening with the sugar cane cutters but to a lesser degree but a higher wage MIGHT just tip the scale, higher wages will eventually lead to higher prices leading to higher wages ect

. My GF is working digging potatoes, they only pay 200 baht a day, who's paying 300 baht out in the Mooban, I don't think so, No Min. There.

[halloween]

Like a mad dog chasing its tail, the wages/inflation spiral continues. Although it has always been there, try to remember what kicked it into high gear - another Thaksin/Yingluk electoral bribe gratefully jumped at by those too stupid/ignorant/greedy to understand the end result, and helped along by the PM's lies denying costs were increasing.

[smedly]

Well done PTP, Thailand is now in the grips of the inflation trap, the never ending cycle of price hikes and then wage hikes to keep up with the rising cost of living and also people now entering into a debt trap as personal debt levels soar. This country is heading for a big correction

[StefanBBK]

Higher wages will force businesses to operate more efficiently.

And to relocate to cheaper wage areas such as Mayamar Cambodia and Veitnam

Call me cynical, but relocating opens opportunities for the ones remaining behind....

[rubl]

A higher minimum wage is well justified in Thailand.

BUT unlikely to happen :

- The country is entering into an economic depression with likely zero GDP growth rate and further devaluation of the baht to 35-38/USD by 2015Q3.

- The Junta has spent much of the treasury on quick cash handouts to quell protests by coup supporters.

- The Junta has given pay raises to government employees

- The Junta government is bloated with nonproductive "reformers"

- Junta appointed officers receiving double/triple pay filling both military and civilian roles

- Junta clone organizations are employing family members for noncritical duties

- Junta is throwing low income people out of work with "reforms"

- Abuse of Article 44 powers may drive foreign businesses and capital out of Thailand

- Thailand's agricultural industry is not cost effective

- Government tax collections are failing

- The Junta will allow LESS than minimum wages to be paid in special development zones.

The economic damage brought to the Thai economy in 2013-2015 by anti-government protests and military coup will take several years to recover. In that time the poor and low income may find better opportunity outside of Thailand.

One minor detail:

During half of the period you mention, Yingluck and her PTP were in power!!

Back to the drawing board............

and that's even without pointing out that the 2013-2015 for "damage brought to the Thai economy in 2013-2015 by anti-government protests and military coup" is actually one year and five months only with.

What I'm puzzled about is the implicit condemnation of anti-government protests. Our rickers is not a real democracy lover it would seem.

[h90]

Higher wages will force businesses to operate more efficiently.

No, if they could work more efficiently they would do already. Or do you think they waste money 300 Baht now, but wouldn't waste 360 Baht?

Their staff won't get better because they earn more.

They will relocate their businesses.

And most probably inflation will make everything 30 % more expensive in exchange of the 20 % wage hike.

[shaggy851]

60 baht? Seriously thats not much money i think give them the raise. Probally wont help the unemployment rate 360 baht isnt worth getting out of bed for

[dunque]

A 20% wage increase? That seems a hell of a lot to be asking.

I cannot see them getting it.

I would raise that to a thousand. That should teach them that a thousand or ten thousand has no meaning to one who cannot get a job.

Also it won't make any difference to those who have no idea about budgeting They will still burn it like paper on crappy purchases..

Please enlighten us on how to support a family on 300 baht a day

[jacky54]

Higher wages will force businesses to operate more efficiently.

And to relocate to cheaper wage areas such as Mayamar Cambodia and Veitnam

Labour unions do not read. They did not know Thailand is already facing losses in industry due to relocating to neighbouring countries.

Typical mentality when cutting down forests. Realisation only comes when the whole mountain is bald, like in Petchabun.

Yes,

How dare the workers demand a wage they can live on and support their families.

Good grief, next thing you know they'll be asking for a standard of living that is above the poverty line.

Do these people have any grasp on reality?

You are the poor, the minions, shut up and do what you are told.

Tell that to LG who just shut down TV production here and moved to Vietnam

[billd766]

A higher minimum wage is well justified in Thailand.

BUT unlikely to happen :

- The country is entering into an economic depression with likely zero GDP growth rate and further devaluation of the baht to 35-38/USD by 2015Q3.

- The Junta has spent much of the treasury on quick cash handouts to quell protests by coup supporters.

- The Junta has given pay raises to government employees

- The Junta government is bloated with nonproductive "reformers"

- Junta appointed officers receiving double/triple pay filling both military and civilian roles

- Junta clone organizations are employing family members for noncritical duties

- Junta is throwing low income people out of work with "reforms"

- Abuse of Article 44 powers may drive foreign businesses and capital out of Thailand

- Thailand's agricultural industry is not cost effective

- Government tax collections are failing

- The Junta will allow LESS than minimum wages to be paid in special development zones.

The economic damage brought to the Thai economy in 2013-2015 by anti-government protests and military coup will take several years to recover. In that time the poor and low income may find better opportunity outside of Thailand.

Wow. And they managed to do that all in 10 months.

What a load of drivel.

- The country is entering into an economic depression with likely zero GDP growth rate and further devaluation of the baht to 35-38/USD by 2015Q3. How do you KNOW this/

- The Junta has spent much of the treasury on quick cash handouts to quell protests by coup supporters. Just like the PTP did.

- The Junta has given pay raises to government employees. Why wouldn't they do that as everybody gets a pay rise.

- The Junta government is bloated with nonproductive "reformers". The PTP under Yingluck selected the "most qualified" persons to be Ministers, then replaced them every 6 months and each time the new Ministers came in the changed what their predecessors did and you think that is productive?

- Junta appointed officers receiving double/triple pay filling both military and civilian roles. Do you remember the PM also appointed herself ad the Minister of Defence, not that she had any idea of what to?

- Junta clone organizations are employing family members for noncritical duties. How many of Thaksin's family were appointed to critical positions at large salaries without having the knowledge to perform that duty?

- Junta is throwing low income people out of work with "reforms". Where and how is this happening?

- Abuse of Article 44 powers may drive foreign businesses and capital out of Thailand. It may not either.

- Thailand's agricultural industry is not cost effective. It NEVER was cost effective and under the PTP it simply got much worse to the extent that Thailands ]#1 position as the worls leading exporter of rice was lost.

- Government tax collections are failing. As it was under EVERY government but let us not be too picky about that.

- The Junta will allow LESS than minimum wages to be paid in special development zones. Links?

[Bluespunk]

Labour unions do not read. They did not know Thailand is already facing losses in industry due to relocating to neighbouring countries.

Typical mentality when cutting down forests. Realisation only comes when the whole mountain is bald, like in Petchabun.

Yes,

How dare the workers demand a wage they can live on and support their families.

Good grief, next thing you know they'll be asking for a standard of living that is above the poverty line.

Do these people have any grasp on reality?

You are the poor, the minions, shut up and do what you are told.

Tell that to LG who just shut down TV production here and moved to Vietnam

That still does not justify paying appalling wages.

If a companies profit margin depends on keeping it's labour force in poverty then something is wrong.

Both in terms of efficiency and morality.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Bluespunk

[Suffinator]

Everyone wants to be paid more but will anyone realize the consequences? Higher wages will lead to higher food costs etc; in other words the basic cost of living will increase as inflation rises. On top of that the labor market will take a huge hit once foreign run businesses decide that cheaper labor can be found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos etc.

Annual wage rises are acceptable but these must be kept in line with the economic realities. If you want to decimate a country's economy then raising minimum wages to an unrealistic level is certainly a good way to start.

[i claudius]

While I cannot even imagine trying to live on 300 baht a day we all know that when wages rise so does inflation and people are laid off ,the same as night follows day,it happened here last time and it's been happening in the UK for donkeys years,the big companies go abroad and close down local plants

[DLock]

Give them the increase.

I moved manufacturing to Vietnam 2 years ago. We cannot satisfy the Clients wanting design, tooling and manufacturing in Vietnam that once manufactured in Thailand.

Primary reason is cost. Thailand is at least 20-30% more expensive, but also quality and manufacturing times are better in Vietnam.

Thailand is complacent, expensive and slowly losing business to other countries.

...so, let's speed it up and grant the increase.

Edited April 1, 2015 by DLock

[JOC]

Oh, the irony!!

Thaivisa posters spending their whole day at the keyboard are calling Thai workers for lazy and discussing if they are worth 300/360 baht a day!!

As for the ones claiming, that Thailand is losing its competitiveness and inflation will spin out of control, may I suggest a little experiment:

Empty your wallet, leave only 2100 baht and report back in a weeks time on how you have enjoyed life!!

(2100 is even generous, because no bills or rent)

[elgordo38]

A 20% wage increase? That seems a hell of a lot to be asking.

I cannot see them getting it.

Hmm 20% of 300 bahts seem fair. My pension increase was 1.7% now that is unfair and ridiculous.

[weegee]

360baht for 2hrs work per day?....no wonder inflation is getting out of control....

[Tokay]

The raise should be for select jobs, such as hard labor. And give them 500b if it's back breaking labor. But any job where you can play with your phone or sleep, 300b is more than enough. You get what you deserve.

Having said that, it will never, ever be enough for them. Make it 3200b per day and they will still want more because no one knows how to manage money.

[trogers]

A 20% wage increase? That seems a hell of a lot to be asking.

I cannot see them getting it.

I would raise that to a thousand. That should teach them that a thousand or ten thousand has no meaning to one who cannot get a job.

Also it won't make any difference to those who have no idea about budgeting They will still burn it like paper on crappy purchases..

Please enlighten us on how to support a family on 300 baht a day

Please enlighten us how Bt360/day can.

The smart do not make a family when he cannot even support himself. But then, many only use their little heads.

Edited April 1, 2015 by trogers

[elgordo38]

Give them the increase.

I moved manufacturing to Vietnam 2 years ago. We cannot satisfy the Clients wanting design, tooling and manufacturing in Vietnam that once manufactured in Thailand.

Primary reason is cost. Thailand is at least 20-30% more expensive, but also quality and manufacturing times are better in Vietnam.

Thailand is complacent, expensive and slowly losing business to other countries.

...so, let's speed it up and grant the increase.

I will hope they soon develop robots for you to use then you can get rid of all those pesky workers that deserve a decent living. Its profiteers like you will soon ruin the world. You will produce all those great and glorious products but nobody sadly will be left with money to buy them. For the few people like you its a race to the top of the profits pile and finding places where you can operate cheaply and increase said profits even more. Nobody cares about the rest of humanity its just a case of using people as cheaply as possible and then disposing of them with little or no pension. We no longer care about our fellow man all we care about is how cheap we can get him to work and how long he will last before being discarded. Free trade has killed the whole world from a workers standpoint.

[Linzz]

No way! How could the likes of Toyota, Cargill and Ford pay employees $11 per day, up from $10 per day. Greedy workers!

Are you actually aware of how much Toyota and Ford pay their employees and how much the end of year bonus was ?

Have you seen the workers benefits package at these 2 companies too ?

No, I though not.

He said per day not per hour......I think he was being ironic, you didn't get that? No I thought not

Edited April 1, 2015 by Linzz

[DLock]

Give them the increase.

I moved manufacturing to Vietnam 2 years ago. We cannot satisfy the Clients wanting design, tooling and manufacturing in Vietnam that once manufactured in Thailand.

Primary reason is cost. Thailand is at least 20-30% more expensive, but also quality and manufacturing times are better in Vietnam.

Thailand is complacent, expensive and slowly losing business to other countries.

...so, let's speed it up and grant the increase.

I will hope they soon develop robots for you to use then you can get rid of all those pesky workers that deserve a decent living. Its profiteers like you will soon ruin the world. You will produce all those great and glorious products but nobody sadly will be left with money to buy them. For the few people like you its a race to the top of the profits pile and finding places where you can operate cheaply and increase said profits even more. Nobody cares about the rest of humanity its just a case of using people as cheaply as possible and then disposing of them with little or no pension. We no longer care about our fellow man all we care about is how cheap we can get him to work and how long he will last before being discarded. Free trade has killed the whole world from a workers standpoint.

Vietnam has welcomed us at every level - from Investment and tax break levels, to local Governments and local communities where we give hundreds of people technical training and jobs and lift their standard of living and provide education and healthcare to the local communities. In short, they really value us and want us. Don't blame me for Vietnam investing in the right areas.

So, thanks for your backhanded concerns, but frankly, you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

I repeat, give Thailand the increase to give them a "decent living"...and see what your misguided and ignorant decision does for Thailand.

[wolfmanjack]

A hourly rate for pay would make more sense ,

so people working 12 hours will get more than people working 8

The labor law already states any one that works more than 8 hours already gets time and a half for any hour over 8.