Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday pledged to find ways to meet the 15 demands submitted by labour organisations to mark May Day but said he could not promise all could be implemented.

Some of the demands had been proposed to the government over the past two years and been partially implemented, while others that would affect the majority of the people needed time, Gen Prayut said in a speech delivered to thousands of workers gathered at Sanam Luang on Sunday to mark National Labour Day.

Gen Prayut said the government was upgrading welfare and rights protection schemes for both formal workers and workers in the informal sector, who are not covered by the Social Security Fund and other funds.

He said the daily minimum wage should increase to 400-500 baht in the future but urged workers to improve their labour skills to match market demand. He did not explain how he worked out the higher daily wage, or when it should happen. 

The Confederation of Thai Labour (CTL), which comprises 355 labour unions, on Saturday submitted 15 recommendations to the government which it said would lift earnings for millions of low-income workers nationwide and improve their standard of living.

Among key issues are a call for the ratification of two International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and raising the minimum wage.

ILO Convention 87 recognises the workers' right to form groups without permission from authorities while ILO Convention 98 grants all employees the right to use collective bargaining in the workplace.

The CTL did not state a figure for the daily-minimum wage. However, two labour networks — the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation — on Sunday submitted an open letter to Gen Prayut suggesting a 60-baht minimum wage hike, which they said would help millions of struggling workers across the country cover their monthly expenses.

Among other demands, the CTL wants the government to set price caps on basic consumer goods; pay actual costs for medical expenses and compensation those unable to work due to illness or injury; and push through amendments to the Labour Protection Act.

The prime minister also claimed some groups were trying to incite disorder and spread distorted information in the lead-up to the national referendum on Aug 7.

He called on workers to help the government by refusing to be politicised by such groups and exercise their right to vote.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by Bangkok Post

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