(22/03/2013)
On March 22, 2013, Mrs. Narumol Thandamrong, Advisor to the Minister of Labour,
launched Ministry of Labour’s mobile projects to provide knowledge
about wage laws and help business operators access the government’s
measures designed to assist firms that might be affected by the 300 baht
daily minimum wage policy and enhance their capability in Nakhon
Phanom and Sakon Nakhon provinces. During the visit, she also met with
local SME operators and gave them morale support. No major impact of the
policy was found to have affected local firms.
Mrs. Narumol said the project is part of
the policies of Mr. Phadermchai Sasomsub, Minister of Labour, to
enhance SME operators’ knowledge about the 300 baht daily minimum wage
policy and minimum wage to ensure their compliance of the policy, and to
help firms enhance their competitiveness and find access to the
government’s measures designed to assist firms that might be affected by
the policy and enhance SMEs’ capability.
The project also covers public hearing
on impact of the policy. It provides a platform for business operators
to exchange views with government officials and jointly work out
solutions to prevent layoff and shutdown of business.
Mrs. Narumol said the 300 baht daily
minimum wage policy has been implemented since January 1 and it has
helped firms to stay alert and prepare for the formation of the ASEAN
Community in the next two years. The government is determined to find
out and address problems caused by the policy and continue assist SMEs
find loan sources, increase their products and solve other problems.
On her first stop in Nakhon Phanom
province, Mrs. Narumol chaired a workshop to hear problems, exchange
views and experience and discuss solutions to impacts of the policy from
local SME operators. The workshop was part of the Ministry of Labour’s
mobile project. The advisor to the Minister of Labour also visited Nakae
Pongjareon Rice Mill.
In Nakhon Phanom, there are a total of
1,205 firms, which employ 13,956 workers. Of them, 1,197 are SMEs. No
firms have been forced to shut down following the implementation of the
minimum wage policy.
On her second stop in Sakon Nakhon
province, Mrs. Narumol chaired a similar workshop, which was also
attended by local SME operators. In Sakon Nakhon, there are a total of
1,806 firms, which employ 13,956 workers. Of them, 1,739 are medium
sized enterprise and 67 are small sized enterprises.
According to data from Ministry of
Commerce’s Sakon Nakhon Provincial Business Development Office, a total
of 98 new firms were registered while 26 firms closed their business
during October 2012 and February 2013 period. Most of those firms, who
went out of businesses, had stopped operating long before they made the
registration due to their uncompetitiveness. During the January-February
2013, some firms also went out of businesses but the 300 baht daily
minimum wage policy was not the cause of their shut down.
In both provinces, firms that are able
to comply with policy have reduced their operational costs. They try to
reduce the company’s activities, adjust employment condition, be strict
on quality of work and increase discipline at workplace. Workers are
also encouraged to work on voluntary basis. Firms, meanwhile, ask the
government to reduce their burden through tax measures, cut loan
interest, control prices of capital such as fuel and electricity and
help them access to local sources.
Provincial labour offices and Ministry
of Labour’s local agencies have worked together in carrying out the 300
baht daily minimum wage policy and collecting data about workers and
employers who are affected by the policy. So far, no workers have been
laid off while there have been no business shutdown due to the policy.
Provincial social security offices have
distributed instructions about the 300 baht daily minimum wage policy to
2,600 firms which has more than one employee, held meetings to clarify
employers, employees about the policy, held meetings with Ministry of
Labour’s agencies, Sakon Nakhon Chamber of Commerce and Sakon Nakhon
Federation of Industries and implemented emergency measures including
extending officials hours to 6 pm from Monday-Friday and between 9am-4pm
on Saturday and coordinating with chamber of commerce, federation of
industries, banks and relevant agencies in getting data about labour
situation.
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