Thailand legislates new minimum wages for skilled workers

BANGKOK - The Thai National Wage Committee has approved a resolution to set minimum wage rates for 20 professional branches across five industry groups, based on skills standards under a law governing skill development promotion. The Notification is effective August 10.

In a Client Alert, lawyers Baker & McKenzie say that to be eligible for the new minimum wage rates, employees must pass professional skill standards tests and obtain relevant certificates from the authorities.
They must also be employed to work in positions that require usage of such skills, either entirely or partly. The mere fact that the employee has relevant experience or certificate does not automatically entitle them to the new minimum wage.

Employees working in the below five industry groups will be entitled to the new wage rates.

1. Electrical industry and electronics -  e.g. lighting equipment assembler and electrical appliance motor assembler;

2. Motor vehicle industry -  e.g. lather technician, product quality assurance officer or body painting technician;

3. Logistics industry -  e.g. forklift driver, warehouse operator and inventory controller;

4. Parts and spare parts of motor vehicles industry -  e.g. automatic lathe technician and MAG welder for motor vehicle parts industry; and

5. Jewellery industry -  e.g. gem setter and lapidarian.
B&M says failure to pay wages in accordance with the Notification may subject employers to criminal penalties, including an imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Baht 100,000, or both.  www.bakermckenzie.com (ATI).