“Minimum wage rate” refers to the wage rate that employers must pay to employees. which were unskilled workers when they first started working In order to have sufficient income to support yourself and your family (employee + 1 wife + 2 children) to live happily in society. It is considered a criterion for consideration according to general international principles.
But did you know? Many countries, especially economically developing countries, including Thailand Such a definition was not used.
Information and views about the direction of Thailand's wage increase in 2024, latest from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anusorn Thamjai, Director of the Digital Economy Research Center International Finance and Trade The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said it agreed to increase the minimum wage at the beginning of 2024 because if Thailand does not increase wages appropriately There may be a labor shortage problem.
In addition, increasing wages will help support purchasing power within the economy. It is estimated that it will have very little effect on “inflationary” pressure because it has not been raised in leaps and bounds. At the same time, it is proposed that the tripartite system must adjust the wages of informal workers to a wage sufficient for living (Living Wage). )
The current minimum wage is not sufficient for living. Meanwhile, workers in the informal sector often have informal, unfair employment conditions and lack job security. and no labor welfare They are also often discriminated against by labor protection laws. On days you are absent from work, you will not be paid. Even if you are off work due to illness
“Minimum wage” according to the International Labor Organization definition
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anusorn also stated that the Thai minimum wage rate The principles of the International Labor Organization should be applied. as a guideline for consideration And the employer's ability to pay and the readiness of the production sector and the economic system must also be considered.
“If we can pay according to the definition of the International Labor Organization. Family institutions will be strengthened, and workers' children will be better looked after by a higher minimum wage. But small establishments may not have the ability to pay. Increasing the minimum wage each year Each country has its own guidelines and criteria that are different. Most will be determined by the increase in the cost of living conditions of that year primarily.”
However, if the cost of living increases by how many percent? The minimum wage will have to be increased accordingly. It is called an increase according to the cost of living situation. In order for employees to have sufficient income to cope with increasing expenses. But the employee may not have enough money to save. The Wage Committee consists of Representatives of employers, employees, and the government sector or tripartite system is the person who considers and determines Thailand has used a single rate system throughout the country. and the multi-rate system is determined according to the area of various groups of provinces.
However, in many areas of the country Employee organizations are weak or no employee organizations exist. The wage increase will be very small. The increase in the minimum wage therefore depends primarily on the decision-making power of employers and the government. As for what the minimum wage will be, it is up to negotiation in the tripartite system. As for the increase, the employer's ability to pay and the economic situation must be considered as well.
Recommend “increase wages” higher than annual inflation. Create economic justice
However, the minimum wage should be raised at least above inflation. The labor movement and worker organizations have proposed raising the minimum wage to 492 baht, the same rate nationwide, for many years. Raising the minimum wage for the quality of life of workers Help stimulate the economy Reduce inequality problems and create economic justice
By how much the increase should be made, every dimension should be carefully considered. In order to truly have a positive impact on the welfare of workers and is positive for the economy There is no inflationary pressure. Including increasing the cost of production too much Decisions must be based on data and use a tripartite mechanism.
