Workers set to enjoy 6.7% wage boost

The National Wage Committee has agreed to raise the daily minimum wage around the country by between 8 and 17 baht.

Supporters of the Labour Congress of Thailand rally yesterday in front of the Labour Ministry topressure the Central WageCommittee to increase the minimumdailywage by at least 10 baht. APICHART JINAKUL

The raise, which amounts to an increase of 6.7% on average, is considered a big jump.
The increase takes the average minimum wage to 176.3 baht a day, said Somkiat Chayasriwong, the permanent secretary for labour and chairman of the wage committee.
Mr Somkiat attributed the raise to the government's policy to reduce disparity in society.
The Social Security Office says about 2 million Thai workers and 2 million migrant workers will benefit from the increase.
The raise for Thai workers adds more than 6.92 billion baht to the national payroll, while the increase for migrant workers adds up to more than 7.78 billion baht.
The increase will boost the purchasing power of the 4 million workers by 14.69 billion baht.
The increase of 17 baht in the minimum wage in Phuket, from 204 baht to 221 baht, is the highest in the country.
The minimum wages in Bangkok and nearby provinces were put on an equal footing of 215 baht a day.
The minimum wage in Bangkok and Samut Prakan was raised by nine baht from 206 baht. In Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Nonthaburi, it was increased by 10 baht from 205 baht.
Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla received the second-highest raise of 15 baht.
Workers in seven provinces - Phayao, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani and Prachuap Khiri Khan - received the lowest raise of eight baht.
The minimum wage in Phayao, at 159 baht a day, remains the lowest in the country.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier suggested that the minimum wage be raised to a flat rate of 250 baht across the country.
Mr Somkiat said it would take time to raise the figure to 250 baht nationwide as any increase must be made gradually. It would affect employers' ability to pay wages and workers could suffer if it was done at once.
Pannaphong It-atthanan, an employer representative on the wage committee, said the government should offer direct subsidies to low-income workers instead of pushing for minimum wage raises.
He suggested the government control the rise in commodity prices that often follows the minimum wage increase, otherwise workers would not benefit from their pay raises.
Employees' Labour Development Council of Thailand chairman Manas Kosol said he was quite satisfied by the wage committee's decision.
However, he still wanted the committee to review the raise for provinces where the pay increase was less than 10 baht.
Workers' living conditions in those provinces are still below general living standards, he said.