Labour Ministry's committee agrees to hikes

Phuket was the only province given a Bt7 hike, while Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces were awarded a Bt3 raise.

Labour permanent secretary Juthathawat Inthornsuksri said Friday that the increases would be submitted to Labour Minister Apai Chandanachulaka to propose to the Cabinet for approval by this month's end, so the new wages could take effect on January 1.

He said the wage levels could be adjusted further if living costs continued to rise.

Speaking after the committee met to scrutinise the new wage proposals based on the inflation rate, living costs, oil prices and other factors, Juthathawat said they agreed to raise the minimum daily wage in 56 provinces by Bt1 to Bt7 - as requested by the provincial minimumwage subcommittees.

Phuket got the highest raise of Bt7, taking its minimum wage to Bt193 a day, while Chachoengsao and Ayutthaya received a Bt5 raise to Bt165 a day, he said.

"Phuket gets the Bt7 hike because it is a tourism province with high living costs, while Ayutthaya gets Bt5 because it is close to Pathum Thani and the wage rate should be similar," he added.

Krabi, Phetchaburi, Rayong, Loei, and Sing Buri had a Bt4 raise, while 20 provinces including Bangkok and neighbouring provinces got Bt3.

The Bangkok minimum daily wage will now be Bt194.

Seventeen provinces including Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Buri Ram and Mae Hong Son will get a Bt2 raise, while 10 provinces including Phitsanulok, Chumphon, Samut Songkhram and Sa Kaew will only get a Bt1 raise.

Juthathawat said the committee was currently considering the wage increase for Uthai Thani and would submit all the wage hikes for Cabinet approval by the month's end.

The 20 provinces that did not ask for a wage increase were Kalasin, Chiang Rai, Narathiwat, Lampang, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.