The Tripartite Wage Committee is planning to convene to evaluate a proposal to raise the minimum daily wage in Thailand due to rising living costs.
The Labour Ministry is set to approve an increase in the minimum daily wage in Thailand from 336 baht to a fixed rate of 492. The significant rise comes barely two years after a prior boost and is expected to mostly benefit employees. The raise is said to have been suggested and agreed in principle by two bodies representing employees in the Tripartite Wage Committee.
During a news conference at Government House, Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin made a comment to evaluate the proposal to increase the minimum daily wage in Thailand as the cabinet discussed ways to mitigate the effect of rising gasoline costs. The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SERC) have proposed to the government that the minimum pay rate for workers be established at 492 baht per day.
A survey will be undertaken from April through June to measure people’s living expenditures, according to the Labour Minister. A subcommittee will meet in July to examine the minimum daily wage in Thailand before presenting a report to the Tripartite Wage Committee, which will review the proposal in August and September. The Ministry of Labour will submit the proposed pay rate to the cabinet for further consideration if it is accepted.
Employers, government officials, and labor unions are represented on the Tripartite Wage Committee. The Ministry of Labour represents the government, while the TLSC and SERC, as well as the Thai Employers’ Confederation, represent employees and employers, respectively. Wage increases will be established in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) criteria such as the country’s cost of living index, living standards, inflation rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and socioeconomic variables.
In suggesting the new minimum daily wage in Thailand, the committee listed different expenses that employees must meet, such as daily expenses such as three meals a day and transportation costs, as well as monthly expenses including rent, electricity bills, automobile payments, and many other charges to support family members.
Labour Ministry vows to increase the minimum daily wage in Thailand
According to an unidentified source, the Labour Ministry has vowed to raise the minimum daily wage in Thailand but still has not verified whether the proposed 492 rate would be authorized. However, it is anticipated to do so soon. It is unknown whether company representatives have addressed the proposed new rate with workers’ representatives.
The current rate of 336 baht has been in effect in Chon Buri and Phuket since January 2020, however, it reduces to 335 baht in Rayong’s southern province and 331 baht in Bangkok and five other provinces. In the deep south of the nation, the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani have the lowest daily rate of 313 baht.
If passed, this will be Thailand’s first time implementing a flat minimum wage. According to the research, its implementation is projected to raise costs for ordinary products and services, hurting all customers, including paid workers.
