ID :
151536
Sun, 11/28/2010 - 20:36
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/151536
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PM: Govt to review measures helping low-income earners; Minimum wage may rise Bt10
BANGKOK, Nov 28 - In an attempt to defend low-income earners against rising inflation in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday his government may extend its economic assistance measures for the poor and may as well raise the daily minimum wage by Bt10.
Mr Abhisit said during his weekly TV and radio address that the growth forecast by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) for 2010 would grow by nearly 8 per cent along with economic stimulus measures implemented by the government, especially on its spending to assist flood victims, would help the country’s economy to increase in a sustainable manner.
The NESDB last week revised projection for Thailand’s economic growth this year to 7.9 per cent, up from the earlier forecast of 7-7.5 per cent, on the back of the global economic recovery, improving investor confidence, higher farm income as well as strong tourism and export growth.
The government is considering raising the daily minimum wage by about Bt10 in order to increase public purchasing power, he said.
The rising cost of living is an urgent matter for the government to tackle, Mr Abhisit said, adding that the government would soon review possible extension of the five measures to lower the cost of living.
The economic assistance measures are free electricity for households using less than 90 units per month, free transportation on 800 public buses on Bangkok’s 73 routes, free passage on 172 third-class railway trains on a daily scheduled basis and free piped water supply. The existing measures will expire at year-end.
The government also freeze prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Bt18.13 per kilogramme and natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel at Bt8.5 per kilogramme. This assistance measure will expire in February.
The possible extension of the government’s economic assistance programmes comes after the Commerce Ministry earlier this month maintained its projection of the 2010 inflation rate at around 3-3.5 per cent.
The ministry has forecast that 2011 Thai inflation will stay around 3.2-3.7 per cent based on the assumption that crude oil stays at US$78-88 per barrel and the Thai currency, the baht is around 28-33 against the dollar. (MCOT online news)
Mr Abhisit said during his weekly TV and radio address that the growth forecast by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) for 2010 would grow by nearly 8 per cent along with economic stimulus measures implemented by the government, especially on its spending to assist flood victims, would help the country’s economy to increase in a sustainable manner.
The NESDB last week revised projection for Thailand’s economic growth this year to 7.9 per cent, up from the earlier forecast of 7-7.5 per cent, on the back of the global economic recovery, improving investor confidence, higher farm income as well as strong tourism and export growth.
The government is considering raising the daily minimum wage by about Bt10 in order to increase public purchasing power, he said.
The rising cost of living is an urgent matter for the government to tackle, Mr Abhisit said, adding that the government would soon review possible extension of the five measures to lower the cost of living.
The economic assistance measures are free electricity for households using less than 90 units per month, free transportation on 800 public buses on Bangkok’s 73 routes, free passage on 172 third-class railway trains on a daily scheduled basis and free piped water supply. The existing measures will expire at year-end.
The government also freeze prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Bt18.13 per kilogramme and natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel at Bt8.5 per kilogramme. This assistance measure will expire in February.
The possible extension of the government’s economic assistance programmes comes after the Commerce Ministry earlier this month maintained its projection of the 2010 inflation rate at around 3-3.5 per cent.
The ministry has forecast that 2011 Thai inflation will stay around 3.2-3.7 per cent based on the assumption that crude oil stays at US$78-88 per barrel and the Thai currency, the baht is around 28-33 against the dollar. (MCOT online news)
