Federation of Thai Industries concerned about plans for minimum wage hike

Thailand’s Federation of Thai Industries has expressed concern about the impact a rise in the minimum wage could have on small and medium-sized businesses. The federation says if a proposal to increase the minimum wage to 492 baht goes ahead, it will have a severe impact on such firms.

According to a Bangkok Post report, the FTI was responding to a letter submitted to the government by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation, ahead of today’s Labour Day holiday.

In the letter, both labour advocacy organisations urged the government to implement the minimum wage increase. However, Kriengkrai Thiennukul from the FTI says the economy has not yet recovered from the Covid-19 fallout and now faces additional pressure as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“We understand everyone is affected by a higher cost of living and…