Minister denies any political motivation
Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said last night he wanted a rise in the daily minimal wage of 5-8% from Oct 1 instead of early next year as intended, but denied that seeking to bring the pay rise forward was politically motivated.
The minister, talking at Government Home, said minimum income should start to rise from Oct 1 because the cost of living has raised.
This individual said provincial wage committees had currently worked out new prices for their respective provinces, and senior authorities would finalise the particular increments.
“Increments will vary by 1-2 baht for some provinces. There will be 12 different rates for the daily minimum income. They will not all be the same, and the boosts will not start concurrently in all provinces since the GDPs of provinces are different, ” Mister Suchart said.
The labour minister said he ordered the long term secretary for labour to finalise details of new minimum wages this month and would propose these to the cabinet the following month, so that the increases can begin on Oct 1 .
“Over the past yr, we have not changed the wages since we had problems to resolve, and to help people amid Covid-19 outbreaks. The government tried to prevent layoffs. Now is a good time and employers agree, because they want to retain their employees, ” Mr Suchart said.
The minister said the wage increases would be 5-8%, based on inflation as well as the economic situation of the respective province.
The wage outdoor hikes should start in Phuket, the Eastern Economic Corridor provinces associated with Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong plus Bangkok because of the higher cost of living and production in those areas. Labour officials were in discussions along with employers’ groups about raising minimum income from Oct one, according to Mr Suchart.
He denied the government wished to raise minimum wages sooner rather than early next year as previously planned for politics gain.
If it was political, the government would enhance the minimum wage in order to 492 baht per day as workers’ organisations wanted, the minister said.