'Bt300 wage only good for family of 2'

In regard to whether the daily minimum wage should be hiked early next year, Associate Professor Yongyuth Chalamwong said a study by his team found that the current wage could cater for a family of two living above the poverty level anywhere in the country.
However, Thailand’s Bt300 wage would not be sufficient over time, as the International Labour Organisation said a worker’s wage must cover two other two family members as well, he said.
An analysis of the Thai poverty level found that families of three in 61 provinces. The people earning the Bt300 wage and having a family of three in municipal areas were living below the poverty line, while those outside municipal areas could support families of three better.
In reality, sole income-earners in a family had to do overtime or a sideline job on weekends or have their spouse do a part-time job, he said.
In regard to those working on a temporary basis or daily labourers at micro or small establishments, a lack of salary structure prompted their bosses to base wage payment on the minimum wage.
A report by the National Statistics Office said agricultural sector workers earned less than Bt250 a day, he said, and if each of them must tend for two family members, they certainly would be “poor”.