Business sees no new jobs or pay rises in 2016

Business sees no new jobs or pay rises in 2016

Labour activists march from the Democracy Monument to Government House in October, calling for an increase in the minimum wage to 360 baht a day and for the rate to be applied in all provinces, compared with 300 baht a day in major provinces currently. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Labour activists march from the Democracy Monument to Government House in October, calling for an increase in the minimum wage to 360 baht a day and for the rate to be applied in all provinces, compared with 300 baht a day in major provinces currently. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Businesses are unlikely to recruit more employees or increase salaries in 2016, a survey by the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry has indicated.

Vic-chairman Thanit Sorat said a preliminary result of the survey on trends for hiring and salaries next year found about 70% of respondents currently intended to maintain the same sized workforce and wages as in 2015.

They may change their minds after reviewing the overall situation in mid-2016.

He said maintaining the present workforce with a production capacity utilisation rate of only 58% reflected that they had more workers than needed but had tried to keep them all.

Mr Thanit said the slow economy throughout 2015 might have resulted in a higher employment rate.

Most employers were of a view not to increase wage levels, but they would wait for the next review and  agreement between employers and the Labour Ministry due in mid-2016. 

Some businesses may increase wages, with the maximum at 5%.

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