The Thai Ministry of Labour has decided to increase the minimum wages for workers following protests and demands for a wage hike on May Day.

According to Thai labour laws migrant workers have the same right as Thai workers in terms of wages. So, Burmese migrant workers will get the same minimum wages, said Tin Htun Aung secretary of migrant the Federation of Trade Unions Burma (FTUB).

"The workers are facing problems following increase in prices of essential commodities. So on May Day the workers demanded an increase in salaries, Tin Htun Aung said.

Many groups demanded wages of about 15 to 33 baht a day. However, the Thai Ministry of labour issued an official order pegging the minimum wage rate between nine baht to 20 baht per day.

According to the Ministry of Laobur's announcement from the MAP Foundation, the minimum wage rate will be increased from June 2008. The raise in Bangkok , Samutsakorn, Pratumthain and Chiang Mai will be nine baht. In Tak and Surathani, Pang-ga the raise will between 4 baht to 6 baht.   

Nai Awei Mon who is working in the labour rights promotion net work in Samutsakorn said women will get the same rate as male workers. But he is apprehensive that employers will continue to exploit Burmese workers and not give them the minimum wage.

Mehm Aung a worker in Samutsakorn said that he is unaware of the Thai Ministry of Labor increasing wages. His boss did not inform him.

Another worker from the Surathani said that he heard from his boss, that they will increase 5 baht per day for daily workers.