Thailand to finalise 400 baht minimum wage proposal on December 12
The anticipation surrounding the upcoming tripartite wage committee meeting is palpable, as it seeks to finalise the government’s proposal for a nationwide minimum wage increase to 400 baht per day.
Scheduled for Thursday, December 12, this meeting aims to implement the wage hike as a new year’s offering to workers, a key initiative the ruling Pheu Thai Party promised.
The wage committee, consisting of 15 members, features representatives from the government, employers, and employees. Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary, confirmed the committee’s readiness, noting that recent appointments have filled vacant seats and ensuring the meeting’s quorum.
Akkaruth Sandhyananda and Sarote Khomkhai will represent the Finance Ministry and the Labour Ministry, respectively.
“I am confident that the meeting will achieve a quorum, and all stakeholders will engage in discussions about the wage increase.”
This wage adjustment, initially set for October 1, faced several postponements due to the committee’s inability to convene a quorum. The committee requires at least 10 members, or two-thirds, present for any wage decision to be valid.
While the government pushes for a standardised wage increase, Poj Aramwattananont from the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) voiced dissent. He argued that any wage increase should reflect the economic conditions of individual provinces, reported Bangkok Post.
“The TCC believes that wage hikes should align with the economic capacities of each province. We are urging officials to enhance productivity by reskilling and upskilling workers to better align with market demands.”
In related news, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is set to appeal to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on December 6, urging a postponement of the upcoming increase in the daily minimum wage to 400 baht, scheduled for January 1 next year. This request arises from the current economic challenges businesses are facing.
Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and a prominent member of the JSCCIB, clarified that while the group is not against raising wages, they believe any such decision should first receive the endorsement of the tripartite wage committee.
This committee includes representatives from the government, employers, and employees.
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