Labour demands wage rise nationwide

BANGKOK, January 9 (TNA) - Citing rising inflation in the country, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee on Sunday demanded the government increase daily minimum wage to 300 baht nationwide. The government has said daily minimum wage would be first increased to 300 baht in seven provinces comprising Bangkok and surrounding provinces starting this April 1 while it would be risen by about 40 per cent in the remaining provinces. Daily minimum wage for the remaining provinces wages would be increased January 2013. The coalition government earlier announced that daily minimum wage would be increased from January 1 this year but changed the timing due to massive flood which hit the country in the last quarter of 2011. The increase in the daily minimum wage is part of the promises launched by the ruling Pheu Thai Party during its election campaign. Key members of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee held a meeting earlier Sunday and agreed that the planned increase would be unfair to labourers in 70 other provinces. Chalee said Committee members would lodge a complaint to the Administrative Court, organising demonstration, meeting with politicians and the media. Academics and representatives from the private sector will be invited and exchange opinions on the increase of the daily minimum wage. The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee plans to give a press conference on the issue on January 18. (TNA)