Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn offered his assurance today that workers in all occupations across the country will receive a 400-baht minimum wage from October 1.
Today, May 1, is International Labour Day, also called Labour Day or May Day in some countries, and the labour minister said that the tri-partite Wage Committee now has five months to study how many employers are ready to pay their employees at least 400 baht wage a day.
Since SMEs are likely to be hard hit by the increase, he said that he will invite their representatives for talks about how the government can help in cushioning the impacts of the rise.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told labour representatives, who were participating in the May Day parade, that the government places great importance on improving the lives of the nation’s workforce, including the raising of the minimum wage.
Meanwhile, 18 labour organisations submitted a ten-point proposal to the government today, for consideration.
The points include formal government recognition of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 87, regarding the freedom of association, and Convention 98, regarding the rights to organise and collective bargaining, and the creation of a Risk Insurance Fund for workers.
Labour networks in Thailand demonstrate at the Democracy Monument on the occasion of the May Day today.
They are also seeking the establishment of social security hospitals, acceleration of the enforcement of the National Pension Fund Act and that the Office of the Compensation Fund should shoulder medical expenses for the employees in case of sickness or accident incurred while performing their duties for their employers.
