It's real: B300 wage from Jan 1

Published: 20 Nov 2012 at 16.37
Online news: News

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to impose the minimum wage of 300 baht per day all over the country from Jan 1, Budget Bureau director Voravidh Champeerat said.

He said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong was appointed chairman of a committee to plan measures to help business entrepreneurs affected by the wage increase.

From April 1 this year, the 300-baht wage was implemented in seven provinces - Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani and Phuket.

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thaigenius
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Discussion 10 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.2410
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my dear friends, anything less than 300B per day is a crime as is 300B per day. i really hope for all the thai workers out there that this new wage will be enforced. it's easy to rant and rave about this, but seriously, who could live on only 300B per day? it's time to get the general population out of poverty. thai people deserve much better than this.
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banphai
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Discussion 9 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.149
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Will this include the informal employment sector (most of the country)? How will it be monitored and enforced?
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Bangon
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Discussion 8 : 20 Nov 2012 at 19.458
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A raise to 300 Baht per day, NET, for whom!? For sure not the many who will be laid off because of too low productivity, or because the company relocates to a more 'friendly' country... Most of the others, will be pressured to work harder accordingly, and/or will face many deductions (for water, rice, rent, electric, etc.), earning maybe less than before. ...And, for all Thais, the prices of basic products and many consumption goods will go up, up! Only the merchants are smiling. Populism?
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bluebottle
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Discussion 7 : 20 Nov 2012 at 19.397
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Passing a bill for 300 per day and enforcing it are two different things.
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upena
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Discussion 6 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.446
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Get ready for higher unemployment and inflation.
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genii
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Discussion 5 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.065
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It is high time workers not making this minimum wage get their raise it is long overdue. Things can now start looking up for the better. The improvements of any worker skills is up to the employer. Production is up to the employer. Most people will perform better given an incentive. It is disturbing to see those trying to reap a profit off this wage increase with complaints and critisicims hoping to get some governmental rebate
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Asterix
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Discussion 4 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.014
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It is a joke as today many factory workers in fishery processing factories get less than 5000 Baht per month in Phuket;
Labour Department should make compulsory all payment salaries by bank transfer to each workers in order to control that all workers in Thailand get the legal minimun salary.
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topcat_bk
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Discussion 3 : 20 Nov 2012 at 17.383
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This is just another grand populist gesture that will backfire, as more low-wage manufacturing will move to the neighboring countries, leaving thousands of low-skill people without a job.

Thailand needs to upgrade its workforce to be able to manufacture more sophisticated products at higher quality and greater efficiency than its low-wage neighbors. But this government, like the ones before, will not invest strategically in education and skill development, as this does not buy votes to stay in power.
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Eric
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Discussion 2 : 20 Nov 2012 at 17.202
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Finally a direct kick to the behind for manufacturers to improve their efficiency and productivity by mechanization, automation and better management and not only by low wages. If we want to compete with the world and within AEC, this is no better time to start making these changes. If there is no direct push, manufacturers will continue to stay in their comfort zone and depend on low wages. The government in turn must provide matching programs.
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bkposter
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Discussion 1 : 20 Nov 2012 at 17.141
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In my opinion, while the increase was necessary and was purposed by both parties in the election, the implementation should have been spread in to 3 years to reduce the sudden impact on industry and give them more time to cope with the added burden. It is an especially large problem for those in labor intensive manufacturing for export that must compete with the surrounding countries. While many on the lower jobs will have improved lives, many will have lost their jobs due to this sudden increase.
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It's real: B300 wage from Jan 1 | Bangkok Post: business