The national wage committee with the authority to approve minimum daily wage hikes agreed on Wednesday night to an increase in the minimum wage.
After several rounds of talks between representatives of employers, workers and government officials in the tripartite panel, the parties finally reached agreement on the wage rise.
The wage will climb from April by between 5 and 22 baht per day, depending on location, according to Permanent Secretary for Labour Jarin Jakkaphark, who chaired the committee.
The revised daily range of 308 baht to 330 baht is about 2% to 7% higher than 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 |
|
