Minimum wage rise before year-end ‘but not to 400 baht’
A new round of minimum wage increases for workers will be announced next month “as a New Year’s gift”, Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Sunday.
However, the rise to 400 baht “by November or December” previously announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will not happen.
Instead, the maximum increase will be 10 baht per day, Pipat said.
The wage rise will vary in each province according to inflation, economic growth, and feedback from employers and employees.
Despite not reaching 400 baht per day, the rise would be a morale booster for the workforce, he added. It would also avoid adding too much burden to employers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A wage increase to 400 baht per day may have forced employers to lay off workers, the minister said.
The next round of adjustments in late 2024 might see the minimum wage hit 400 baht, but this would be applicable only in certain provinces, he added.
Currently, the highest minimum wage of 354 baht per day covers three provinces: Rayong, Chonburi, and Phuket.
Six other provinces – Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon – have a minimum wage of 353 baht per day.
Each province will finalise its minimum wage rates by November 17, and the results will be submitted to the Wage Committee for consideration in early December. After approval, the new wage rates will be presented to the Cabinet for approval and be implemented by the end of the year.
