BANGKOK, July 18 – The Joint Private Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking are to meet Wednesday to discuss the new government’s policy of increasing the minimum wage to Bt300/day.
Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Chairman Payungsak Chartsuthipol said the committee comprises the FTI, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers’ Association.
Mr Payungsak said the meeting participants hope to agree a joint stance to further discuss with the new government.
He said the private sector agree on the principle of workers’ well-being, particularly when entrepreneurs now try to keep their workers by providing them social welfare as a result of the shortage of labour, making the total employment value already higher than the usual minimum wage given.
Responding to the new government’s plan to raise the minimum wage to Bt300/day, the FTI chairman said the government should consider the process conditionally and adjust the rate gradually, step by step.
Labour without special skills, if hired Bt300/day, should learn skills to suit their working positions, while migrant workers, if to have their wages adjusted according to International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, should at least be skilled in communicating in Thai or within their positions.
Mr Payungsak, meanwhile, said the FTI insisted on its stance in five areas regarding raising the daily minimum wage.
It disagrees with a countrywide wage adjustment, as it will affect the overall image of the Thai economy.
The wage raise should be done in accordance with the market mechanism. The Central Wage Committee should be the agency considering and acting on the minimum wage adjustment without political pressure and according to Thailand’s labour law.
The new government should have measures to assist entrepreneurs to be able to implement the pay differential.
Lastly, the FTI is prepared to discuss the issue with the public sector to benefit all parties.
