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Sia Jampathong Criticizes Pheu Thai Party for Unfulfilled Minimum Wage Promises

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The political landscape sizzled with sharp critiques yesterday as opposition MP Sia Jampathong took the floor during the final day of a joint parliament session. Jampathong pulled no punches, lambasting the ruling Pheu Thai Party for its unfulfilled promises, particularly the much-touted 600-baht minimum wage. He accused the government of neglecting its labour initiatives, which he claims were a cornerstone of their election campaign.

“Labour wasn’t even in the top 10 most urgent policies discussed by this government,” bemoaned Jampathong, a stalwart of the People’s Party (PP). This omission was perplexing, given the Pheu Thai Party’s grand pre-election declarations. Their promises included not only a 600-baht minimum wage but also a minimum salary of 25,000 baht for fresh graduates and enhanced labour rights protections.

Jampathong didn’t mince words: “Were these promises merely bait to win votes?” he questioned aloud, his voice tinged with both frustration and suspicion. “Apart from the 10,000-baht handout scheme, what other promises have been fulfilled for the labour force? Have they forgotten, or are they just pandering to the capitalists?”

The ire kept flowing as Jampathong skewered the sitting labour minister, whom he accused of doing “absolutely nothing” for workers over the past year. He unveiled alarming statistics: 1,519 factories had shuttered their doors, leaving 41,103 workers jobless. “This is disgraceful for any government that pledges to create more jobs,” he declared, raising eyebrows throughout the chamber.

Jampathong also highlighted the dwindling numbers of labour union memberships and zero initiatives to invigorate them. “Our workers are increasingly isolated, with no collective voice to speak for their rights,” he lamented.

Turning his focus to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Jampathong pressed hard on the issue of the promised minimum wage increase. Supposedly adjusted to 400 baht, its application remains inconsistency—only implemented in specific provinces and businesses. “Whenever there’s criticism, they blame the wage committee. But when there’s praise, they claim it as their own achievement,” he acceded with a rueful shake of his head.

Sahassawat Kumkong, another vocal MP from the People’s Party, took the baton, zeroing in on the government’s glaring lack of a coherent plan to develop labour skills for burgeoning industries such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and the enigmatic “soft power” industries. “Without proper planning and alignment between policies, budgets, and implementation, we’ll see a development freeze, leading to severe unemployment and a dependence on foreign skilled labour,” Kumkong argued, driving his point home with laser precision.

In their fervent speeches, both Jampathong and Kumkong painted a grim picture of the current administration’s handling of labour issues, depicting a future fraught with unfulfilled promises and an increasingly disenfranchised workforce. Their passionate critiques served as a rallying call for immediate, substantive action to honor electoral promises and safeguard the nation’s labour force.

As the parliamentary session ended, one couldn’t help but wonder if these fervent appeals would find their mark or be lost in the cacophony of unfulfilled political promises. Either way, the debate underscored a pivotal issue that demands urgent attention.

36 Comments

  1. Alex P. September 13, 2024

    I completely agree with Sia Jampathong. Pheu Thai has been all talk and no action when it comes to labour rights.

    • Karen87 September 13, 2024

      Typical politician, making promises they can’t keep. Why are we surprised?

      • Dr. Lee September 13, 2024

        It’s more than just politics. People’s livelihoods are at stake. This negligence needs to be called out.

    • Tina H September 13, 2024

      But isn’t Sia Jampathong just as guilty? Politicians love to criticize but offer no solutions.

  2. grower134 September 13, 2024

    The problem is deeper than just unfulfilled promises. Our entire labour policy needs an overhaul.

    • Tony R. September 13, 2024

      Overhauls cost money and people aren’t willing to pay higher taxes. Catch-22.

    • RainForest September 13, 2024

      Agreed. We can’t keep putting band-aids on broken systems. We need comprehensive reform.

  3. Cassy September 13, 2024

    What about the small businesses? A 600-baht minimum wage will kill them!

    • Benny Li September 13, 2024

      Exactly. No one talks about the impact on small businesses. They can’t afford these wages.

    • RainForest September 14, 2024

      Small businesses are important but so are living wages. We need to find a balance.

    • Holmes September 14, 2024

      If small businesses can’t pay fair wages, maybe they shouldn’t exist. Exploitation isn’t a business model.

  4. Joe September 13, 2024

    What has the Pheu Thai actually done in the last year? It’s not just about wages.

    • Wendy F. September 13, 2024

      They did pass that 10,000-baht handout scheme. That’s something, I guess.

    • Kritsana September 13, 2024

      Handouts are stop-gaps. We need long-term solutions, not temporary fixes.

    • Hannah Lee September 14, 2024

      Right? Those handouts don’t solve the structural issues in our economy.

  5. Aliyah K. September 13, 2024

    This whole debate misses a crucial point: education. We need to align skills training with industry needs.

    • Roberto September 13, 2024

      Spot on. Without skills, higher wages mean nothing. Semiconductors and EV industries are the future.

    • Dr. Lee September 14, 2024

      Absolutely. We need to upskill our workforce. Education reform is key to any wage increase.

  6. Tommy S. September 13, 2024

    I’m not even sure Jampathong is genuinely concerned about the workers. Sounds like a political stunt.

    • RainForest September 14, 2024

      Maybe, but even if it’s a stunt, the issues he’s raising are important.

      • Alex P. September 14, 2024

        Agree. Intentions aside, the labour issues can’t be ignored. The government needs to act.

      • BillK4 September 14, 2024

        Sure, but who is actually going to hold them accountable? These politicians are all the same.

  7. Ella M. September 14, 2024

    Has anyone considered that increasing the minimum wage might lead to inflation?

    • Stan September 14, 2024

      Inflation is a risk, but leaving people in poverty is a greater one.

    • Benny Li September 14, 2024

      Inflation control is a complex issue. It’s not just about wages but also about managing the economy better.

  8. Kat September 14, 2024

    I honestly feel for the labour minister. He’s probably trying but is overwhelmed by systemic issues.

  9. James B. September 14, 2024

    This shows that Pheu Thai can’t govern effectively. Time for a change in leadership.

    • Nina September 14, 2024

      Change to what, though? Do we even have a viable alternative?

  10. Sandra L September 14, 2024

    Why are we focusing so much on the minimum wage? There are other pressing issues like healthcare and education.

  11. K. Patel September 14, 2024

    Pheu Thai’s neglect is putting everyone at risk. We need leaders who can follow through on their promises.

    • Aaron G. September 14, 2024

      K. Patel, totally agree. Empty words won’t sustain a nation.

      • grower134 September 14, 2024

        Precisely. We need solid policies and quick implementation.

  12. Lucas M. September 14, 2024

    Imagine being a fresh graduate promised 25,000 baht and ending up jobless. It’s a betrayal.

  13. Daryl P. September 14, 2024

    With 1,519 factories closed, what exactly is Pheu Thai’s labour minister doing? This is beyond incompetence.

  14. Angie September 14, 2024

    Raising minimum wage without improving skills is pointless. We’ll end up with unskilled workers demanding higher pay.

  15. Leo56 September 14, 2024

    Anyone else think this whole critique is just a distraction from other issues?

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