Workers: Raise wage quickly

About 20 members of a factory labour union in Rangsit area on Wednesday submitted a letter to Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, demanding the party to push ahead with its 300 baht daily minimum wage policy.

The letter was received by Pheu Thai secretary general Jarupong Ruangsuwan.

Saneh Chumharuethai, leader of the workers, said all 25,000 members of the Rangsit labour union had passed a resolution supporting the Pheu Thai Party’s policy for a nationwide rise in the daily minimum wage to 300 baht.

Mr Saneh said Pheu Thai should quickly implement the promised policy to improve the living standard of workers.

The government must also oversee prices of consumer goods to prevent them from increasing without justification, he said.

However, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Yuthapong Jiraprapapong said, the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy would have a severe negative impact on the industrial sector, particularly small and medium enterprises.

Mr Yuthapong suggested the government gradually increase the daily minimum wage step-by-step to minimise adverse effects on the SMEs.

Apart from that, the northern FTI is preparing a proposal that the new government provide assistance to manufacturers by paying compensation for the increased labour cost, provide tax exemptions for exporters who use domestic raw materials, cut corporate tax from 30 per cent to 23 per cent and provide low interest soft loans for the industry sector, he said.

The Pheu Thai Party announced during the election campaign that the party would raise the minimum wage to 300 baht a day nationwide if it wins the July 3 general election. It has mentioned Jan 1 as the target date.