Many workers had little to celebrate on May Day Thursday as they called for the "no work, no pay" wage system to be scrapped.
Workers from the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee and State Enterprises Workers' Relation Confederation gather near parliament to mark Labour Day Thursday. They were joined by People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban. (Photo by Wisit Thamngern)
Construction worker Suchart said he counts himself lucky to have a job. He said his work in Bangkok keeps him busy — he works double shifts every day of the week so he had no time to join the May Day celebrations.
Although he earns more than some of his colleagues, exhaustion has gotten the better of him. He said he would rather work less in a job that afforded him employment security — and allowed him some time to take a rest.
He said the government should consider abolishing the current wage system where workers receive no pay on the days they do not work. The minimum wage of 300 baht a day barely covers escalating living costs, he said.
Mr Suchart said men are usually paid more than women in labour-intensive occupations.
The government promised workers would get at least 9,000 baht a month. But it means they have to work every single day, if they are paid 300 baht a day, which is unrealistic, he said.
The law allows one day off a week, leaving the workers with only 26 days worth of wage.
"It's a total flat-out routine for us. No off-days, no weekends," Mr Suchart said.
"A plate of som tam sells for 40 baht around here. If the workers eat together, they can help each other save."
Daeng, who works in a garment export factory in the Sathu Pradit area, said she feels she is being taken advantage of working as a daily wage earner. They are permitted only six days of leave each year under the law.
She used to work in Taiwan where workers are paid a monthly income, with maximum working hours strictly enforced.
Miew, a worker in an automotive parts production factory, said the situation for daily wage earners is even worse for those employed by outsourcing firms. The firms supply the workers to businesses, which are not responsible for the welfare of the workers.
The outsourcers not only refuse to pay the wage but even deduct it if the workers are absent from work.
"The daily wage has no place in the workforce. We have to eat and bills to pay. We need rest and some leisure,'' he said.
Bundit Thanachaisetthawut, labour specialist at the Arom Phong Pha-ngan Foundation, said the minimum wage is inadequate for most labour households. It forces workers to work overtime, which is physically and mentally draining, he said.
The problem is worsening with the economy slowing. Employers have excuses to reduce pay and allowances. Some refuse to pay altogether.
In Buri Ram, the provincial labour union urged the caretaker government to consider setting up a fund to help workers who lose their jobs as a result of an economic slowdown. Fangjai Chimkul, deputy chairwoman of the labour union, said the government's 300 baht daily wage policy had forced many small- and medium-sized businesses to resize their workforces.