Bangkok: Sia, a Labor MP of the Prachachon Party, has criticized the Ministry of Labor for its request to increase the budget by 6 billion baht to develop the wage system. He highlighted that despite this significant budget request, the minimum wage remains stagnant at 400 baht, which is insufficient given the high cost of living.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sia Champathong, a party-list MP of the Prachachon Party, expressed his discontent during a debate on the budget allocation for the Ministry of Labor. He emphasized the disparity between the soaring cost of living and the current low wages. Champathong voiced concerns about workplace safety and lamented the stagnant state of employee welfare and labor skill development. He noted that despite promises to raise the minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, the ministry is now seeking an increased budget for wage system development, from 4 billion to 6 billion baht for 2016.

Champathong also raised concerns about worker safety, emphasizing that while the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare plans to offer legal protections by 2026, the increasing number of workplace accidents, which rose by 250,000 from 2022 to 2024, remains alarming. He questioned the feasibility of the campaign promise to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht by 2027.

Further, Mr. Sia critiqued the government’s handling of the public welfare budget, pointing out the unpaid 60 billion baht in social security contributions. He argued that if these payments were made, it could significantly enhance welfare provisions for the populace.

He also highlighted the issue of forced employment of disabled individuals, pointing out legal non-compliance. Despite the requirement to employ one disabled person per 100 employees, only 3,600 disabled workers are employed nationwide, and the government’s budget only accounts for hiring two disabled individuals this year. Champathong questioned how the Ministry of Labor could set a positive example for employers under these circumstances.