Min of Labour to conclude wage adjustment

BANGKOK, 30 October 2015 (NNT) – The Central Wage Committee of the Ministry of Labour will call a meeting next month to conclude its minimum wage adjustment.

Permanent Secretary of Labour M.L. Puntarik Smiti, who chairs the Central Wage Committee, disclosed that the panel would discuss the new minimum wage on November 18.

Suggestions and ideas from employers and employees, as well as studies by National Institute of Development Administration, will be incorporated in the discussion.

Labour networks earlier demanded a daily wage of 360 baht for workers across the country. However, the Federation of Thai Industries voiced opposition to their demand.

M.L. Puntarik said previous studies showed that daily wages in foreign countries varied depending on location. Therefore, geoeconomic differences will be one of the criteria for pay adjustment.

The new minimum wage for 2016 is expected to be concluded within this year.


-- NNT 2015-10-30

"previous studies showed that daily wages in foreign countries varied depending on location."

But I thought foreign countries don't understand Thailand and can't be considered a model for Thailand for any purpose. They don't have "Thainess."

That said I hope the Labour networks put Puntarik to task to reveal his information and justify if accurate how such wage parameters apply to Thailand given 40% of its GDP is in the low paying agricultural and fishing industries. The idea that increases in minimum wages should be in part tied to the cost of living in an area is unfair and perpetuates income inequality and worker immobility.

Where the economy has collapsed or is in the doldrums, the COL will be artificially depressed and the standard of living will be subnormal. Minimum wage increase in such areas would actually trigger increased economic consumption that generates a general improvement in standard of living.

The Labor Minister has previously said also that there will be no decreases in the minimum wage due to geographical differences in COL. That policy further exacerbates income inequality by rewarding industrial and commercial areas like Bangkok where strong purchasing power actually lowers COL with still increasing wages where they are undeserved.

Pay employees even more?!?! Are the politicians mad!!

So now workers can get more money for sitting around most of the day glued to their phones with one finger up their noses!! That is so wrong.

Maybe, like in other countries, pay increases should be based on 1) employee qualifications and 2) their input/effort/standard of work (call it what you will).

Edited January 16, 201610 yr by djayz