Bangkok: Support is given to adjusting wages for 129 skilled professions, recommending annual increases in line with inflation, and urging the government to reduce the cost of living without shifting the burden onto SMEs.
According to Thai News Agency, Thammasat University academics have noted that while the Wage Board's decision to adjust wages based on skills for 129 professions is a positive step, there is a need for a clear explanation of the 2.9% figure used as the calculation base. They also recommend expanding the group of professions, enhancing transparency in the tripartite system, and promoting the collective voice of stakeholders at the policy level.
Associate Professor Dr. Kiriya Kulakarn from the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, explained that the Wage Committee's approval of a wage increase based on labor skill standards for 129 occupational fields, using a 2.9% baseline for calculation, represents a step in the right direction. However, he emphasized the need for transparency regarding the criteria and rationale behind this figure, as well as the specific increases for each occupational field. This would ensure that all stakeholders understand and can assess the appropriateness of the figures.
Dr. Kulakarn suggested that the 2.9% figure is likely derived from Thailand's inflation rate in April 2026, which also stands at 2.9%. If this is the case, it would help maintain workers' purchasing power. He supports the idea of the Wage Committee adjusting the base wage calculation annually to account for inflation, ensuring workers receive a basic wage that reflects the actual economic situation.
Looking ahead, Dr. Kulakarn proposed three additional measures for the Wage Committee to ensure fair and appropriate wage adjustments: expanding the scope of occupations with standardized wage rates based on skill levels to include more areas, enhancing the transparency and quality of the tripartite system and labor market information, and promoting labor unionization to ensure workers' voices are reflected in policy-making.
Furthermore, Dr. Kulakarn emphasized that adjusting wages based on labor skill standards cannot replace adjustments to the minimum wage. Both are essential and should reinforce each other. He urged that the government, Wage Committee, and related agencies aim towards a living wage, a level that ensures a good quality of life for families.
The government should not shift the burden of wage adjustments solely onto SMEs. Instead, it should implement measures to reduce the cost of living and enhance the capabilities of entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, which face greater cost constraints. This would help prevent negative impacts on employment in the long term.
Dr. Kulakarn concluded that wage adjustments must be approached with caution, especially given global economic uncertainties and the weak Thai economy. It is the government's responsibility to ensure people can survive in these challenging times.