Labour activists give the thumbs down to the Yingluck Shinawatra administration's efforts to solve labour problems despite lauding its 300-baht daily minimum wage.
In its 2012 evaluation of state labour policies, even the 300-baht wage, which has been hailed by workers, has left looming worries unsolved, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, led by Wilaiwan sae Tia, said yesterday.
"The government has no clear measures to help workers who may be dismissed, especially from SMEs [small and medium enterprises] and labour-intensive factories as a result of the pay rise which comes into effect nationwide on Jan 1," Ms Wilaiwan said.
It is not yet clear how the government will help SMEs cope with more financial burdens.
However, the committee disagrees with a proposed remedial measure to reduce employers' monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund (SSF).
It is worried this will adversely affect the fund's benefits, such as medical care, which are essential to workers.
There are also no effective measures to curb the price of goods and other living costs that will make workers' lives difficult even though their wages increase, she said.
If inflation cannot be controlled, informal workers, who are not covered by the 300-baht pay rise policy, will bear the brunt of the change, the committee added.
Informal workers include street vendors, construction workers and farmers.
These problems and the state's apparently passive efforts to address concerns over the quality of life of both Thai and migrant workers have led the committee to the conclusion that the government is "sweeping problems under the carpet".
A great number of migrant workers, who have helped build the Thai economy, find it hard to gain access to benefits under the SSF due to difficulties proving their nationality as a pre-requisite for being listed as legal labourers, Ms Wilaiwan said.
One major problem is that most migrant workers do not possess the documents used in the nationality verification process.
But those who manage to become legal workers still face further problems claiming their rights in the SSF.
Ms Wilaiwan said the fund is designed primarily for Thai citizens who can enjoy its long-term benefits after retirement, but migrant workers are allowed to work in Thailand for only four years and must then return to their own countries.
The Labour Ministry had so far done little to help these migrant workers, she said.
However, though the committee has mainly pointed out the flaws in the state's labour policies, it says it is still satisfied by some initiatives to improve labourers' living standards.
On Nov 9, the Labour Ministry announced a new rule to allow 440,000 domestic servants to have one day off a week and require their bosses to grant them at least 13 holidays that celebrate Thai traditions.
Servants who work on holidays must be also given overtime.
"This is an impressive achievement of the government," Ms Wilaiwan said.