Protesters demand daily minimum wage increase, support for laid-off workers in Thailand

Labour advocates and human rights activists gathered at Government House yesterday, demanding that the government increase the daily minimum wage to 700 baht and establish a fund to support workers who have been laid off.

The protesters, led by political activists Somyot Prueksakasemsuk and Thanaporn Wichian, 28 years old, marched to Phitsanulok Mansion and Government House to present their proposals to the government.

According to Thanaporn, the proposal contained ideas that would not only improve labourers’ welfare but also increase their bargaining power with their employers. If approved, the proposal would allow workers to cover their daily living expenses while also better protecting their rights, as current regulations do not provide sufficient protection for workers, Bangkok Post reported.

A separate group, led by the Labour Congress of Thailand (LCT), organised a march yesterday that began at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge and ended at Lan Khon Muang in front of City Hall. Chinchote Saengsang, LCT president, praised the Ministry of Labour’s work over the past two-and-a-half years before reading out the group’s seven demands. These demands included the establishment of risk insurance for workers and allowing subscribers to monitor the performance of the state’s social security scheme for workers.

Additionally, the group called for an increase in the pension payout from 3,000 baht per month to 5,000 baht per month to better align with the real expenditures of the average labourer. They also requested that the government sign two International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and follow up on the government’s promise to raise the minimum wage to 425 baht, which was made ahead of the 2019 election.

During the last General Election campaign, several parties made similar promises. The ruling Palang Pracharath Party committed to increasing the daily wage to between 400 and 425 baht but has not yet fulfilled this promise. At the time, the Pheu Thai Party also promised voters a minimum wage increase of 400 baht per day.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin assured that if he were selected to return to office, the ministry would implement all of the proposals. The 57 year old also mentioned that the ministry is considering an increase in pension payouts.

This confluence of events highlights the ongoing struggle for a minimum wage and workers’ rights in the country and suggests that further action may be needed to ensure that these issues are adequately addressed.