WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2024
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Wages fall behind living costs: study

Wages fall behind living costs: study

The daily minimum wage increase to Bt300, in effect since April 1, has not kept pace with daily living costs, according to a survey reported yesterday by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC).

 

As of this past May, daily expenses averaged Bt462.31 – Bt113.92 more than August 2011, the survey said. Workers’ debts rose to approximately 30 to 40 per cent of their incomes.
The survey, conducted on 2,516 workers in eight provinces including Bangkok, found that 76 per cent saw their wage increase after April, while 18 per cent got the raise with conditions; 5.1 per cent received no wage hike, despite the law.
TLSC chairman Chalee Loysung suggested that the daily minimum wage should be Bt348 and that it should be imposed nationwide. He urged the government to strictly control goods prices to ensure the cost of living doesn’t outstrip wages. He also called for the elimination of provincial wage sub-committees in favour of a central committee. There should also be a clear structure of salaries for skilled labourers apart from the minimum wage for unskilled workers.
 
 
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