A HOTEL association executive urged the government to increase the minimum wage for direct workers of 4-star and above hotels and resorts with minimum 50 employees in all or part of 10 provinces to 400 baht when the high season starts, Matichon newspaper said today (Mar. 27).
The Tripartite Wage Committee yesterday approved this limited wage hike with the proposal to be tabled to the Cabinet meeting next week for approval. It is planned to be implemented on April 13, Songkran Day, as a New Year’s gift to these workers.
The new limited wage hike will apply to all parts of Phuket, only Pathumwan and Wattana districts in Bangkok, Pattaya in Chonburi, Ban Phe district in Rayong, Chiang Mai municipality in this northern province, Ao Nang district in Krabi, Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Hat Yai in Songkhla, Khuek Khak subdistrict in Phang Nga and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The committee said it will later consider expanding the application of this higher minimum wage either by occupation or zoning.
However, Mr. Boonkerd Suksrikan, vice president of the Eastern Thai Hotels Association, said while hoteliers have no problem implementing this wage increase as their workers would benefit, he disagreed with narrowing the hike to just hotel business with a key impact being the cost of living and cost of running a business rising in tourist destinations.
Currently both Thai and foreign tourists are holidaying in Thailand because of lower cost but if this rises the country would lose its advantage to competing countries, he mentioned.
All hotel workers no matter which city they are in want a wage increase but where Pattaya is concerned this hike is not a problem because the minimum wage at this seaside city is already high.
Boonkerd urged the relevant authorities to think about the low season because some hotels almost have no guests at all and they are also affected by the two- to three-month-long rainy season.
“If there is an adjustment of the minimum wage I would like this done during the high season as it would be much better for hotel operators,” he said.
Mr. Chanon (surname not mentioned), an employee of Sunbeam Hotel, said from employees’ perspective it is a pleasure that the minimum wage is being increased because prices of various products have risen.
On the other hand he also sympathised with hoteliers because if the minimum wage is increased but they cannot increase room rates it will lead to a bigger burden.
Moreover employees minimum wage is increased every year according to operating results and employees are happy regardless of whether it is a big or small jump, he added.
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Top and Front Page: Tourists checking in at a hotel in Pattaya. Photos: Matichon
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