Five parties back plan to help workers

Five political parties yesterday signed a joint agreement to back a 10-point proposal by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee to improve labourers' living conditions.

The proposal covers the minimum daily wage, social security reform, state enterprise development, an institute of safe workplaces, amendment to the Labour Relations Act, a fund to help laid-off workers, rights of informal labourers, rights of overseas labourers, rights to cast votes in elections in areas where workplaces are located, and a push for Thailand to ratify ILO conventions 87 and 88.

The last point in the proposal covers workers' right to collectively bargain with their employers.

New Politics leader Somsak Kosaisuk suggested the highest minimum wage should be 421 baht a day during a seminar yesterday. The current rate ranges between 159 and 221 baht a day.

Close to Mr Somsak's proposal is a rate of 400 baht a day proposed by Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party.

Its representative Olan Kanchanakat said the hike could be feasible if wages are gradually increased.

Chartthaipattana's Manat Koson and Pheu Thai's Jarupong Ruangsuwan said a rate of 300 baht a day was more suitable.

Democrat Buranaj Smutharaks insisted on a 25% increase in two years.

The parties' solutions failed to impress university scholars.

Lae Dilokwitthayarat, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of economics, said the focus on minimum wages made him feel like "being in a gambling den where bets just keep increasing".

The parties appeared to lack understanding of labour and social security issues, he said.