Nattawut: SMEs will get wage help | Bangkok Post: business

Nattawut pledges SME wage aid

Published: 2 Feb 2013 at 11.24
Online news:

The government is ready to help small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) affected by the increase in the daily minimum wage to 300 baht, Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar said on Saturday.

Speaking on the weekly "Yingluck Government Meets the People" programme on NBT, Mr Nattawut said SMEs would be eligible for low-interest loans and the government would help them seek new export markets.

The minister insisted that since the beginning of the year, no SMEs have been closed specifically because of the impact of the wage increase. He said most of the manufacturers that closed in December did so because of operating losses caused by other factors.

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patchar
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Discussion 6 : 02 Feb 2013 at 22.366
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Better late than never. His words however, still to be seen.. I read previously that there were a lot numbers of employees sacked due to the implementation of wage increase, some small-scale businesses were closed either. But now, they are trying to say that no businesses has closed. no consistency...
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ATNN
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Discussion 5 : 02 Feb 2013 at 22.075
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Flip flopping, lying, and of course ramrodding a disastrous policy into place that will only cause inflation and suffering for both the working class and business owners - which by the way, is the only conclusion short-sighted populist policies generally have.
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flpatbkk
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Discussion 4 : 02 Feb 2013 at 16.114
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Since moving here 6 years ago I have seen the purchasing power of my limited pension drop by over 30% due to the appreciation of the baht. Who is going to help me, no one. And yet businesses are crying the blues over paying a minimum of 10+/-USD/day to a person who probably works in inhumane conditions, 12 hours a day, with no benefits, pension, health plan or the like. Maybe if local producers would concentrate on quality so their products would last more than a week or so they wouldn't be in such a panic over 300 baht.
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thaikoi
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Discussion 3 : 02 Feb 2013 at 14.533
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How did he calculated 5.38%? How can he comment that 5.38% is "not much". So if price of everything sold in Thailand rise by 5.38% and he would still say "not much"? Stupidity at its best.
I work for a Thai manufacturing SME dealing only with domestic market and we are being suffered by the wage increase. Thai government and people should realize that business is business, not NPO. Taking social responsibility and making people happy on behalf of government are two totally different things. When did Thailand become socialist country?
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sinless
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Discussion 2 : 02 Feb 2013 at 13.012
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Nuttorwhat has spoken.
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dao
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Discussion 1 : 02 Feb 2013 at 11.291
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Introducing policy is PT speak for taxpayers will pay for it .
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