PHUKET: With the introduction of a new 300 baht minimum wage only days away, organisations under the Human Resources Phuket banner are fuming at a snub by Labor Ministry officials from Bangkok yesterday.
About 120 people were left waiting when Bangkok officials failed to show up at a meeting scheduled for 2.30pm.
The representatives - from tourism and other sectors on Phuket - wanted to discuss the 300 baht minimum wage, immigrant workers, a fair deal for the handicapped and other important issues faced by Phuket.
''So painful, big shame'' was one entry on Facebook by a participant who was stood up.
The snub comes as the Thai Hotels Associaition and other groups prepare for the introduction of the 300 baht minimum wage from April 1 in Phuket, Bangkok and five other provinces.
One major concern is that Phuket resorts at the lower end of the scale will try to absorb service charges and tips into workers' wages to reduce the additional cost to employers of the minimum wage boost.
When assessed under the Democrat government system early last year, Phuket's minimum wage was 221 baht a day - the highest in Thailand.
Prices have continued to rise in the intervening months since then, so workers have been left to cope until April 1, when Phuket becomes a pioneer for the new minimum that will eventually be introduced nationwide.
Security guards, day laborers and those employed in menial tasks are expected to benefit most from the new deal. Some firms have already advised clients of their new pay scales.
There is concern that instead of looking to work on Phuket - where wages were once considered to be higher - many laborers will stay where they are and still win a 300-baht daily wage. But that will only happen if jobs can be found.
The most serious effects are likely to come in the provinces where people are paid least - where employers will be least able to afford the much larger proportionate rise in wages, and where jobs may be sacrificed.
About 120 people were left waiting when Bangkok officials failed to show up at a meeting scheduled for 2.30pm.
The representatives - from tourism and other sectors on Phuket - wanted to discuss the 300 baht minimum wage, immigrant workers, a fair deal for the handicapped and other important issues faced by Phuket.
''So painful, big shame'' was one entry on Facebook by a participant who was stood up.
The snub comes as the Thai Hotels Associaition and other groups prepare for the introduction of the 300 baht minimum wage from April 1 in Phuket, Bangkok and five other provinces.
One major concern is that Phuket resorts at the lower end of the scale will try to absorb service charges and tips into workers' wages to reduce the additional cost to employers of the minimum wage boost.
When assessed under the Democrat government system early last year, Phuket's minimum wage was 221 baht a day - the highest in Thailand.
Prices have continued to rise in the intervening months since then, so workers have been left to cope until April 1, when Phuket becomes a pioneer for the new minimum that will eventually be introduced nationwide.
Security guards, day laborers and those employed in menial tasks are expected to benefit most from the new deal. Some firms have already advised clients of their new pay scales.
There is concern that instead of looking to work on Phuket - where wages were once considered to be higher - many laborers will stay where they are and still win a 300-baht daily wage. But that will only happen if jobs can be found.
The most serious effects are likely to come in the provinces where people are paid least - where employers will be least able to afford the much larger proportionate rise in wages, and where jobs may be sacrificed.
About 120 people were left waiting when Bangkok officials failed to show up at a meeting scheduled for 2.30pm. Weren't these folk the Labour Officials, the ones on the bus that crashed in Patong, on the 16 March 2012? Maybe they could not find safe reliable transport to get to the meeting?
Posted by Robin on March 21, 2012 12:40