Bank Of Thailand Survey Reveals Wage-Hike Fears
BANGKOK: -- A Bank of Thailand survey of 257 businesspeople has found that most are concerned that next year's nationwide implementation of the Bt300 daily minimum wage will worsen labour shortage.
Once the Bt300 minimum wage comes into effect on January 1, fears are that labour-intensive industries will shift their manufacturing bases to other countries, a source at the bank said yesterday.
Ranong Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Nareumol Khoraphum yesterday said the chamber, the Ranong Industrial Office, Fisheries Association and Tourist Business Association have urged that the Bt300 minimum wage implementation be delayed until January 1, 2015, citing world economic problems, natural disasters and intense competition.
Ranong Industry Council chairman Krisana Eiumwongnathee said a daily wage of Bt220 to Bt230 was more suitable and that increasing it to Bt300 would increase the cost of raw materials, packaging and transport.
The Nation 2012-11-07