'Real' labour policies urged

The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee has called on all political parties to include its proposals on labour issues in their policies rather than trying to woo voters with empty promises of wage hikes.

Committee chairman Chalee Loysoong said the parties were trying to make the people believe they could easily increase the minimum wage if voted into power.

Some parties have even promised voters they will dramatically raise the average minimum wage to 300 baht a day from the current 159 to 221 baht, Mr Chalee said.

But the catch is that the decision to increase the wages must be approved by a tripartite committee made up of the government, employers and labour representatives. The government does not have the sole authority to approve any wage hike, he said.

Instead of sugarcoating labour policies during the campaign, the parties should instead consider adopting a nine-point action plan proposed by TLSC, he said.

The proposal was drafted based on worker concerns and will be forwarded to all political parties for consideration.

The proposal includes a call for the new government to ratify the International Labour Organisation's Conventions No.87 and No.98 to ensure the rights of workers in collective bargaining.

TLSC also called on the government to reform the social security system and allow people registered under the scheme to participate in its decision-making.

The next government should establish regulations requiring that the minimum wage systematically increase on an annual basis, Mr Chalee said.