The Labor Ministry is pushing for a nationwide minimum wage increase to 400 baht by the end of 2024, following two failed board meetings scheduled to decide on the matter. A previously promised implementation date of October 1, 2024, is now in jeopardy. The Prime Minister has assured that efforts will be made to reach this goal by the end of this year, but with only three months remaining, it remains uncertain if this will be achieved.
The planned increase of the minimum wage to 400 baht will not occur by the previously promised date. The recent wage board meetings have failed due to lack of participants. An important meeting scheduled for September 24, 2024, was canceled after a representative from the central bank withdrew, as they are retiring and a replacement is yet to be found.
Here is the timeline of the minimum wage adjustments from the start of 2024:
– 2024: 3 wage adjustments planned
– Highest increment ever proposed
– January 1, 2024: increase by 2-16 baht, approximately bringing the wage to 345 baht
– April 12, 2024: 400 baht increase mandated for certain businesses
– Two adjacent board meetings failed to convene for lack of a quorum
– September 24, 2024: meeting postponed due to bank representative retiring
– Confirmation that the wage increase will not occur by October 1, 2024
– The Prime Minister reiterates commitment to implement this by the year’s end
– Only three months left; it remains to be seen if the target will be met.
This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
