Workers to rally for wage hike

Worker networks plan to stage a big rally in OctoberNovember to call for the nationwide implementation of a Bt250 daily minimum wage, a source from the networks said yesterday.

They agree with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's policy to give the minimum wage a large hike to Bt250 as it would help them cope with the cost of living better, while the tripartite wage board in practice edged wages up by only Bt1Bt2, the source said.

Wilaiwan Saetia, president of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, said the labour advocates of the On NoiOn Yai industrial areas, Phra Pradaeng, Rangsit, Pathum Thani and Saraburi would meet today to discuss cooperation in demanding for a vocational health institute, the restructuring of the Social Security Office and the hike in minimum wages nationwide this year.

A worker representative on the wage board, Jamras Chailangka, said the issue of minimum wages would not be a problem if Thailand if the wage structure and payment system standards were based on workers' skills.