In a region teeming with potential and growth, the economies of Southeast Asia have seen an improvement that has surpassed expectations from decades ago. However, over the years, the minimum wage in these countries has become an issue. A disgruntled workforce is left to scratch their collective heads in figuring out how to make ends meet with the ever-rising cost of living.

Thailand raised its minimum wage nationwide for the first time in five years, as the country’s military government tries to tackle lingering income inequality.The wage will climb from April by 5 baht (16 cents) to 22 baht per day, depending on location, Jarin Chakkaphark, permanent secretary for labor, said in a briefing late Wednesday in Bangkok.

Myanmar is set to raise the minimum wage to around $3.60 a day, state media announced Wednesday, as Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government struggles to project economic progress after almost two years in power.The new daily figure of 4,800 kyats represents a 33 percent increase on Myanmar's first-ever minimum wage introduced in 2015 by the previous army-backed administration."The new minimum wage will be applied across all regions and states to all businesses with 10 or more wo