Labor Minister confirms going ahead with meeting to raise minimum wage to 400 baht on 20 Sept., points out that if employers do not come, they can use 2/3 votes, not worried if complained about.
Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labor, talked about the second meeting of the tripartite committee to increase the minimum wage to 400 baht on September 20. Will the 5 out of 15 employers’ votes attend the meeting? Previously, they claimed they had other commitments. He said that they have already sent out invitation letters and it is up to the employer representatives to attend the meeting or not. It is a personal right that he cannot interfere with. However, he sincerely hopes that the employer committee will come to discuss and find the best solution because according to his policy, he will find the best solution with the least impact, including talking with the Ministry of Finance to find a way to provide compensation to affected companies.
When asked again whether if the five employers’ votes do not at
tend the meeting on September 20, the remaining Tripartite Committee will proceed with considering announcing a 400 baht minimum wage increase by October 1, Mr. Pipat said that it is clear that if the employers do not attend the second meeting, we will follow the rules and proceed with the meeting, referring to the two-thirds vote. If the employees’ and government officials’ parties are present, they can vote.
When asked again if he could confirm that the minimum wage would be 400 baht on October 1, Mr. Pipat said, ‘Yes, it is confirmed. It is clear.’ Because once it was announced, we tried to make it happen. I believe that the employees are waiting and I admit that it has affected employers quite a bit because I come from the business sector. Our affiliated companies have also been affected quite a bit because there are about 30,000 employees, about 20,000 of whom have been affected. But I accept the impact. But we have to see how the Ministry of Finance will help entrepreneurs. I confirm that there are alr
eady relief measures and they will be announced on October 1. The relief measures have been adjusted according to the 2012 announcement to be used at present.
As for whether or not they are concerned that if the minimum wage is announced to increase to 400 baht on October 1st, they may be complained about and sued by employers and business operators later, the Minister of Labor said that it is not a problem. He is willing to accept what we have done and considers that he has done it with sincerity. If there is a lawsuit or a complaint to the Administrative Court, he is ready to accept it and confirms that he is not worried about this matter.
Source: Thai News Agency