Panel sets average rate hike at 5%

The national wage committee has complete hikes in the every day minimum wage by an average of 5. 02% and the new prices, which include a walk of 22 baht in Bangkok and it is surrounding provinces, are expected to take effect in October.

Boonchob Suthamanaswong, long term secretary for labour, said the tripartite panel reviewing the particular hikes to the minimum daily wage provides agreed to bump them up to between 328 baht and 354 baht. There are nine clusters of provinces with nine various rates.

Under the proposal, the highest rate of 354 baht is authorized for Chon Buri, Rayong and Phuket while the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, as well as Nan plus Udon Thani, will discover the lowest rate associated with 328 baht.

Workers in Bangkok and around provinces will get 353 baht, the biggest hike of 22 baht from the current price of 331 baht. The smallest increase can be eight baht within Nan and Udon Thani.

Mr Boonchob said the decision by the committee which comprises labour, business and govt representatives is unanimous and will be forwarded towards the cabinet for approval as soon as possible so it may take effect in October.

The previous wage hikes happened in January 2020, ranging from 313 baht to 336 baht with Chon Buri and Phuket getting the highest rate.

Atthayuth Leeyawanich, chairman of the employers confederation of consumer goods and services, said the average hike of 5% is considered high and will affect small-scale providers who are still reeling from the impact from the pandemic.

Pairote Wijit, exactly who represents the employees, said the 5% wage increase is extremely small, but it is the best deal they could get from the negotiations, which usually discussed economic information, the workers’ predicament and when the new income should take effect.

According to Mr Pairote, the particular employers proposed the 3% increase and wanted the new prices to wait until January next year, while workers’ representatives lobbied for 5% to 8% hikes to take impact in October.

A source mentioned the meeting has been tense, with Bangkok and Chon Buri proposing a minimum wage of 360 baht.

The newest rates are much lower than those sought earlier by unions brought by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee as well as the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation.