PM vows to speed up improving quality of life for workers

Published : May 02, 2012 :: 11:05:15 [ 1,008 views ]

PM vows to speed up improving quality of life for workers

BANGKOK, May 1 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday vowed to speed up improving the quality of life for Thailand’s workers while promising that the Bt300 minimum wage would cover all provinces nationwide within the coming year.

In her televised Labour Day address, the premier thanked workers for playing a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social development.

She said the government has implemented various measures to help improve the ability of workers to cope with the rapid change of the economy and society that results from internal and external factors.

The government wants workers to have suitable welfare, better safety, and good occupational health and environment in the workplace, she said.

To ensure security and a better quality of life, she said the Bt300 minimum wage has been implemented in seven provinces and will cover all provinces by the end of 2013.

The premier said that so-called white factory and industrial estate projects have been implemented as part of measures to prevent drug use in the workplace, the government has also encouraged companies to observe the higher labour standards and develop improved welfare for workers.

The government also supports establishing a labour relations plan to effectively help end the conflict between employers and employees with fairness and within the legal framework.

She said the government has supported skill training for workers, particularly language skills, to prepare Thai labour for implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Report by : MCOT