Commerce Ministry finds low-income earners spending directly aided by welfare cards
A study by the Ministry of Commerce of the purchasing habits of low-income earners has found most of their expenses are related to food and beverage, confirming that the government’s welfare card scheme addresses their needs directly.
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Director of the Trade Policy and Planning Office, Pimchanok Wornkorporn has reported that among low-income earners and households in the countryside, between 42-45% of income is spent on non-alcoholic beverages and food items such as rice, meat and vegetables, meaning that such citizens must allot almost half of their income to food and drink.
The proportion is higher than the national average of 36.41% and is being seen as a sign that low-income earners need assistance in purchasing food the most. The data is being touted as confirmation that the welfare card scheme directly addresses the plight of low-income earners.
The Ministry of Commerce is to spend 2 to 3 more months deciding whether to add more goods to the welfare scheme as it is investigating whether they are necessary.
Low-income earners outlay on transportation and communication takes up only 15.08% of their funds, well below the national average of 23.91%.