Help the aged, help the poor

Most of the working poor remain in the informal economy. Therefore, they will not benefit from the new minimum wage. So, what is the government policy addressing this issue besides giving them better access to cheap loans to buy a house and car they cannot afford?

So far the government doesn't have a formal policy regarding pensions for the elderly. According to the UN, 13 per cent of the Thai population is over 60. This proportion will rise to 18 per cent by 2020. So what is the government's plan?

Will the temporary Bt500 monthly allowance for the elderly, started by the previous government, be continued?

Will it be transformed into a permanent pension?

Will the pension be increased? The official poverty line was about Bt1,500 in 2009 according to the ILO and around five million people remained below the line according to the UN.

Will it be regularly adjusted to keep pace with inflation?

It's fine for the government to start keeping its election promises by giving tax exemptions to the middle class and super rich to buy cars and houses. However, maybe it's time to consider the poor as people.

The government should tread carefully as it may soon be accused of double standards. After all, how can it justify that public servants will get a big raise soon while private-sector workers will have to wait at least one more year to get an equivalent raise?

Another point to consider is whether the public servants deserve such a raise. As I remember it, in 2005, Thaksin warned civil servants to be prepared for layoffs, salary cuts and to work more efficiently.

Did bureaucrats somehow manage in the last six years and without my noticing to become so efficient as to increase their salaries [when there is] no formal policy to reduce their numbers or increase their efficiency?

In fact, it's easier to raise minimum wages in the private sector since the government does not have to use taxpayers' money for it. All the government has to do is to take sides with employees' representatives during the next meeting of the tripartite committee.

In the end, employers will have no choice but to submit.

Candide

Bangkok