Cabinet greenlights workers’ wage hike

The cabinet yesterday approved a wage increase for skilled workers in 17 professions.

The move aims to promote workers who pass the skill standard test in each profession so that they receive wages at appropriate rates and align them with their skills, knowledge and competency, according to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

The approval will take effect within 90 days after being published in the Royal Gazette.

The skilled labour eligible for the new wage of 465-715 baht per day are in three sectors: industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, and services.

The engineering sectors cover powertrain, pumps and valve systems, steel structure assembly, welding system control, industrial robots, agricultural tractor repair, and excavator and trailer control.

In the service sector, the wage hike is applicable to diet therapy, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, bartenders, child care and assistive devices for people with disabilities.

According to Ms Rachada, once the new wage hike comes into force, employers will be prohibited from paying workers at lower rates.

Those who violate this requirement will be subject to up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.

In a related development, the cabinet yesterday approved the first phase of target industrial clusters for four new special economic corridors, meant to resemble the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor, in a move to spur the economy and decentralise income to the regions.

The new zones comprise the Northern Economic Corridor (NEC), the Northeastern Economic Corridor (NEEC), the Central-Western Economic Corridor (CWEC) and the Southern Economic Corridor.

The NEC, covering Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang will focus on the creative economy, digital industry, tourism and wellness tourism and agricultural and food industry. The NEEC, which spans Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai, will focus on bioeconomy, and the agricultural and food industry.

The CWEC covers Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri and Kanchanaburi. The corridor will focus on the agricultural and food industry, electrical appliances and electronics.

The southern corridor, comprising Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, aims to promote the agricultural and food industry, bioeconomy, tourism and wellness tourism.

‘‘ Once the new wage increase comes into force, employers will be prohibited from paying workers at lower rates. RACHADA DHNADIREK Deputy government spokeswoman