New minimum wage ranges between B308 and B330

New minimum wage ranges between B308 and B330

Low-income workers will earn more after the committee comprising representatives of labourers, employers and officials agreed on Wednesday night to an increase in the minimum wage. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Low-income workers will earn more after the committee comprising representatives of labourers, employers and officials agreed on Wednesday night to an increase in the minimum wage. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The minimum daily wage will increase nationwide from April 1 in the range of 5-22 baht, with Phuket, Chon Buri and Rayong getting the highest rate at 330 baht a day.

The tripartite national wage committee finalised agreed on the increases  after over seven hours of talks ending on Wednesday night.

Workers' representatives expressed delight at the increases.

Permanent secretary for the Labour Ministry Jarin Jakkaphark, chairman of the wage committee, said all provinces would see the minimum wage increase.

There will be seven wage rates - 308 baht, 310 baht, 315 baht, 318 baht, 320 baht, 325 baht and 330 baht. The average minimum wage is 315.97 baht.

Three provinces - Phuket, Chon Buri and Rayong - will get the highest rate at 330 baht a day, and three southernmost border provinces - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - get the lowest at 308 baht.

The committee agreed the wage rises would come into effect on April 1, Mr Jarin said. 

The talks took time as the panel had to take into consideration all factors before reaching a resolution,  the chairman of the tripartite wage committee said. 

During the meeting, the panel also came up with tax measures to help businesses cope with the incrase.

The revised daily range of 308 baht to 330 baht is 2% to 7% above current levels.

"Wages have to rise with economic conditions -- the cost of living and economic growth in each province," Mr Jarin said at a briefing for the media just before midnight.

The decision will be forwarded to the cabinet for approval on Tuesday, he said.

The Ministry of Labour will also propose an exemption from the wage stipulations for the provinces in the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor development project, according to Mr Jarin. The Cabinet would need to approve that proposal specifically.

The minimum daily minimum wage is currently 300 baht in eight provinces, and ranges from 305 to 310 baht in the others. This year's increase will be the first in three years.

The new rate will vary by province, like the current rate, rather than on a countrywide, flat rate basis as worker's representatives wanted to see.

The government has supported a minimum wage hike, but said it should not jump too high, for fear of eroding the competitive edge of individual businesses and entire industries.

Minimum wage

(baht)

Provinces

308

Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala

310

Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Phichit, Phrae, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Sukhothai, Tak, Trang, Uthai Thani

315

Ang Thong, Bung Kan, Buri Ram, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phitsanulok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Udon Thani, Uttaradit, Yasothon

318

Chanthaburi, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkhram

320

Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai, Phangnga, Sara Buri, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani

325

Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon

330

Chon Buri, Phuket, Rayong

Average 315.97

 

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