Prime Minister reiterated that the Government will find ways to help workers and entrepreneurs who have been affected by the 300 Baht minimum wage policy and other related effects.

January 8, 2013, at 1400hrs, at the Government House, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave an interview following the cabinet meeting that three relief measures for entrepreneurs who have been affected by the 300 Baht minimum wage policy were agreed during the meeting, that is, cost-reduction incentives, taxes incentives, and loan assistance. As for the layoff of workers as a result of the enforcement of the 300-minimum wage policy particularly in the industrial sector, the government will investigate the matters on a case-by-case basis to determine the need of help. PM Yingluck added that there could be other reasons for the layoff and the Ministry of Commerce has been assigned to look into further detail.

According to PM Yingluck, the Government will still find ways to help out no matter what the real causes are. Ministry of Commerce was also assigned to look into annual layoff statistics and operating performances before giving clarification to the people that the 300-Baht minimum wage policy is not the cause of the layoff. The Government is confident that the policy benefits the people in a way to provide enough income for their cost of living and purchasing power. In the case of entrepreneurs who are seeking help, the Government has come up with several measures to alleviate the problems. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong was assigned to work closely with the entrepreneurs to find ways to stay competitive in the long run.

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