BANGKOK, 29 April 2015 – A 4-million-baht budget has been allocated by the government to the organizers of an upcoming Labor Day event at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.
On the occasion of the annual National Labor Day on May 1, the Automobile Labor Congress of Thailand will be hosting a commemorative event at Sanam Luang under the collaboration with 13 other labor associations as well as state enterprises, the Informal Worker Network and the Ministry of Labor. The government is supporting the event with a 4-million-baht fund while Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to preside over its opening ceremony.
This year’s event will mainly aim to strengthen Thai labor and prepare the country for the realization of the ASEAN Community while activities in honor of His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will also be featured.
The participating labor associations are expected to use this opportunity to submit various requests to the government. Among the possible requests are a hike in minimum wage, setting up of a workers’ insurance fund, exemption of personal income tax in some cases and expansion of healthcare coverage.
On the same day, the Thai Labor Solidarity Committee is set to hold a separate activity at the Democracy Monument to mark May Day. It is expected to demand the National Wage Committee to approve the increase of minimum wage to 360 baht per day by the end of October in order for the new rate to take effect at the beginning of next year.
