We'll sue if govt reneges on Bt300 minimum wage promise: unions

"Failure to honour the election policy is a legal offence under the 2007 law about the election of MPs," Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) chairman Chalee Loysoong said yesterday.

He was speaking at a seminar on wage policies at the Century Park Hotel in Bangkok.

Labour organisations have stepped up pressure on the government after the Pheu Thai-led administration unveiled a plan to increase the daily minimum wage to Bt300 first in just seven provinces -Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Phuket.

Although Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap assured that the daily minimum wage in other provinces would significantly rise in January and soar to Bt300 in less than two years, representatives from the labour organisations were not satisfied.

Confederation of Thai Labour (CTL) chairman Manas Kosol said all branches of superstores sold commodities at the same price and all workers, regardless of which provinces they were based in, should enjoy the Bt300 daily wage.

A statement signed by TLSC and its allies today said workers voted for the Pheu Thai Party because of its promise to raise the daily minimum wage to Bt300 across the country.

"We, therefore, call on the government to honour its election policy for the reduction of inequality and the better life of workers/employees," Chalee read from the statement.

State Enterprise Workers Relation Confederation (Serc) secretary-general Sawit Kaewwan added that the minimum wage of Bt300 a day should be applied to farm hands and alien workers too.

"If the government can't do so, please step down," he said.

Chalee said TLSC and its allies would gather the signatures of about five million workers in initiating the lawsuit against the government if it did not raise the daily minimum wage to Bt300 in all provinces by January.

His alliance now plans to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on October 7 to ask for clarification of her government's labour policy.

Chalee said according to a survey, the cost of living had already soared above Bt300 per head per day in 16 provinces. The survey covered 3,660 workers in 16 provinces including Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Angthong and Prachin Buri.

"Workers want a fair rate of wage. The current daily minimum wage is not sufficient for them," Chalee insisted.

He also urged the government to

honour the Pheu Thai Party's policy of ensuring a starting salary of Bt15,000 for all bachelor's degree holders.

Employers have been reluctant to welcome the government's promise of a wage hike, saying the sudden increase in wages would hurt small and medium-sized businesses and lead to layoffs.