Cabinet to consider wage-related measures next week

The Cabinet will next week consider 10 measures, designed to ease negative impacts from wage hike on businesses, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

He expects the Cabinet to approve the measures, without elaborating the detail.

The Federation of Thai Industries earlier pressed for the Bt50 billion fund, to help small and medium-sized enterprises t in the first 3 years after the hike took effect on January 1.

According to the Labour Welfare and Protection Department, after the minimum wage was raised to Bt300 in April 2012, five businesses in seven provinces shut down their shops, leaving 1,700 workers out of job. The provinces include Bangkok, Phuket and Samut Prakan.

Padermchai Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap said that the figure remains unchanged for now after the Bt300 minimum wage was imposed nationwide on Jan 1, 2013. The impact should be clearer in March, he said, adding that the department is instructed to take a close look at businesses in 29 provinces in particular. The provinces include Phayao, Nan and Si Sa Ket.