THAILAND

Locked out Workers Win

From Centre for Labour Information Service and Training (Thailand) bulletins

The union at the Ladybird Garment Factory in Bangkok, employs 540 people. Because 200 of these are marginalised temporary workers, they are not legally allowed to join a union.

200 of the remainder are union members.

Workers were paid according to two wage systems. The better of the two was virtually barred from union members, who were encouraged to resign from the union to obtain the (better) monthly wage.

Seven rounds of negotiations with management resulted in no progress in securing a collective employment contract by late May 2001.

Key union demands were

• compensation for pregnant workers who are denied overtime work by law;
• transport to match workers’ start and finish times;
• paid time off for union work.

The employer first refused to negotiate with the union, and then locked the workers out.

Police subsequently attacked labour demonstrations, arresting two workers who were released after intervention from the Prime Minister’s office.

All workers returned to work on 4 July. The union has interpreted the result as a victory, as it won the major demands, especially compensation for pregnant workers, and a promise by management to work in consultation with the union.

Unfortunately, however, the employer failed to keep his side of the agreement. While he has added transportation in the morning, he has not done so in the evening and workers are still over-crowded and have to stand for the ride. There is still no nurse in the factory (legally required and in the contract).

Union members are still not allowed to work overtime, despite the employer’s pledge of no more discrimination. Union members are separated from non-union members in the factory to discourage organising and workers say the work environment is unpleasant. Non-unionists are still afraid to affiliate.