Labourers flocking to provinces paying higher wage: FTI

Sukij Kongpiyacharn, chairman of the FTI's Garment Industry Club, said that both Thai and foreign labourers in many plants are seeking work in the seven provinces that are paying the higher minimum daily wage of Bt300 as stipulated by the government.

The development has affected the growth of many industries located in areas not covered by the wage hike. Employers in many industries such as garments, food, electronics, and small and medium-sized enterprises are now facing a serious shortage of labour, said Sukij.

The policy to raise the daily minimum wage to Bt300 has been implemented in Bangkok, Phuket, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi since April 1. The minimum wage will be increased in the remaining provinces next year.

Sukij pointed out that if the government did not urgently take measures to solve the problem, many factories in other provinces will have to shut down their operations as they cannot afford to pay more to retain their labourers.

Singh Tangcharoenchaichana, FTI's chairman for the Central region, said that the government's policy to raise the wage to Bt300 in different provinces has led to labour trouble for enterprises.

Both Thais and foreigners are shifting to work in the seven provinces or their employers must pay the higher wage, he said.

Meanwhile, five representatives from the Siam Cement Group (SCG) were appointed vice chairmen of the FTI at a meeting yesterday.

The SCG representatives will work closely with the federation's 25 other vice chairpersons. Those named yesterday were: Somchai Wangwattanapanich from Thai Polyethylene, Somyos Tangmeelarb from The Siam Refractory Industry, Pramote Techasupatkul from Siam Cement, Kajorndej Saengsuphan from Siam Fibre Cement, and Kitti Tangjitmaneesakda from Siam Sanitary Ware Industry.

FTI chairman Payungsak Chartsuthipol said there was no hidden agenda in the nomination of four representatives from SCG as the FTI only wanted to name highly qualified persons to help with the work of the federation.

Payungsak will also continue his work as chairman of the federation for a second term from this April to March 2014. He said the federation would continue to play a role as the country's leading private organisation and help the growth of Thai industries.

The federation will closely work with other organisations and government agencies as well as tighten cooperation overseas to promote strong development of Thai private enterprises.