Thailand to Raise Minimum Daily Wage to 400 Baht Next Year
Arakha Times (19-November-2024)
It has been reported that negotiations are underway in Thailand to increase the minimum daily wage, including for Myanmar migrant workers, to 400 Baht starting next year.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the Ministry of Labor recently held discussions on this matter. According to Ko Naing Aung Aung, Director of the Arakan Workers Organization, the wage hike to 400 Baht will not be implemented nationwide all at once but will be phased in district by district.
“They will increase wages district by district. For example, if the minimum wage starts at 400 Baht per day for a worker, it would certainly be good. However, Thailand’s economy could face difficulties, and employers might struggle. The increase will be gradual, perhaps 5 Baht or 10 Baht depending on the district. I don’t think they will immediately set the minimum wage at 400 Baht across the board,” he stated.
A tripartite committee comprising 15 representatives from the government, employers, and workers is scheduled to meet in December. Agreements reached during this meeting will be submitted to the Prime Minister, with the aim of implementing the new minimum wage of 400 Baht as a New Year’s gift, according to Thailand’s Labor Minister.
Ko Naing Aung Aung also emphasized that any wage increase, however small, is beneficial for migrant workers. “From a legal perspective, even a 1 Baht or 2 Baht raise is good for workers. However, the challenge lies with employers, as many may not accept it. What we understand is that within the current government’s term, efforts will be made to reach the minimum wage of 400 Baht. Whether it takes four years or five years, it will happen gradually. It doesn’t mean that places like Mae Sot and Bangkok will immediately reach 400 Baht,” he said.
Reports indicate that factories with over 200 workers, including migrant laborers, will be part of the wage hike implementation. Efforts to raise the minimum wage to 400 Baht have been ongoing since the tenure of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.