Panel to check if wages affecting inflation
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The Central Wage Committee met yesterday to determine if increasing the daily minimum wage to Bt300 in seven provinces had affected the rate of inflation.
So far, the Bt300 minimum daily wage rate is already in effect in seven provinces, while wages in the remaining 70 provinces have been increased by 40 per cent and should hit the Bt300 level on January 1, 2013.
Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong, permanent secretary of the Labour Ministry and president of the Central Wage Committee, revealed that the panel discussed the cost of living and inflation at yesterday’s meeting.
He added that the committee was waiting for proper figures from the Commerce Ministry, and if it discovers that raising the minimum daily wage is indeed affecting the rate of inflation, it would start seeking remedial measures.
Dr Somkiat also said that the committee would listen to employers who are or will be affected from the wage increase. Employers have been pushing for the implementation of the new wage rate to be delayed, but he said he does not think postponing the wage rise is necessary, especially if nothing disastrous like last year’s flood crisis happens.
