The increase saw the minimum wage raised to B400 a day in 10 tourism-driven provinces, including Phuket. The increase was specifically for the hotel industry, focusing on four-star hotels.
Meanwhile, a 10% increase in state officials’ salaries will be implemented on May 1, said deputy government spokesman Karom Polpornklang, reports the Bangkok Post.
Mr Karom said the latest wage increase applied to employees at upscale hotels and resorts with at least 50 staff in the provinces of Bangkok, Krabi, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phang Nga, Phuket, Rayong, Songkhla and Surat Thani.
Employees eligible for the new wage are advised to file complaints with the Labour Ministry if their employers fail to adjust their wage, a move that was approved on Mar 26, he said.
The latest increase drew harsh criticism from two labour rights groups, saying it marked the worst change to the country’s wage system.
The Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation (TLSC) and State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SEWRC) said in joint remarks that the decision to implement the minimum wage hike in only some areas rather than uniformly is unfair.
The groups said disparities in wages among workers in the same province despite the fact that the prices of goods and services such as water, electricity and internet were the same would create inequities.
They called on the government and the Labour Ministry to stop creating disparities in wages and reiterated their demand for a daily minimum wage of B492, or no less than B400.