No wage hike on Labour Day

The government will not raise the minimum daily wage to 400 baht on Labour Day as previously announced. Instead, it will wait for the results of a tripartite committee on May 14.

Karom Polpornklang, deputy government spokesman, confirmed yesterday that the minimum wage increase will not take effect on May 1.

Before the new wage kicks in, it first needs to be approved at the 22nd tripartite wage committee meeting scheduled for May 14, he said.

He said all crucial plans and the implementation of a daily wage increase are subject to the tripartite committee’s approval during its monthly meetings.

The May 14 meeting will provide detailed clarity about how the 400baht daily rate would be put into practice, he said.

Mr Karom added that Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn will not be involved in the decision on the wage rise as he is a politician, and such a move could be considered interference by a politician.

Mr Pipat can only act as an adviser in the decision-making process, Mr Karom said.

“The government has always valued the well-being of workers. As they contribute significantly to the country’s development, it is the government’s basic responsibility to take care of them,” said Mr Karom.

“As for the government’s policy on the minimum wage, a negotiation among the three parties — the workers, the employers and the government — must be held through the wage committee before any rate adjustment can go ahead. The panel will determine how best to implement the new wage in a timely fashion with the 400-baht goal in mind,” he added.

It was reported earlier that Mr Pipat said the new minimum wage, which was earlier announced will be a gift on Labour Day, on May 1, will not be immediately imposed.

He explained the announcement was made merely to set a goal to achieve and he expected the wage rise will happen within this year, preferably by Oct 1.

“I personally think that it is now an appropriate time to raise the wage because the prices of goods have gone up with no end in sight.

“As a result, when consumer prices have climbed, we need to be compassionate towards workers and increase their wages,” the minister said.

As consumer price hikes impact provinces all the same, including Bangkok, it is only right that the minimum wage is lifted across the country as well, he added.