Labour movement decries shameful cabinet resolution

On February 8, 2006 at 10 a.m., more than 50 representatives from the Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions and the Federation of Textile and Garment Workers’ Unions stormed into the Ministry of Labour to submit to the Labour Minister, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, a letter of protest against the cabinet resolution adopting the amended Labour Protection Bill on January 31, 2006. The Bill was drafted solely by the Labour Ministry and did not respond to the workers’ real needs. Dr. med. Jaturong Phengnorachart, a Thai Rak Thai MP, as advisor to the Labour Minister received the letter on behalf of the Ministry.

Mr. Somyos Phruksagasemsuk, President of the Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions proposed the Ministry to review the amended Labour Protection Bill passed by the cabinet. He also added that an open public hearing should be organised so that workers are informed and able to voice their opinions and needs which should be taken into account when reconsidering the Bill.

Mr. Wasu Daengsungnuern, Secretary-General of the Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions, added that the Labour Protection Bill amended by the Labour Ministry and approved by the cabinet will not help solving workers’ problems, on the contrary it will create more problems and generate increasing suffering and plights to workers, as it promotes contracted labour. This is contrary to the policy of Prime Minister Thaksin Chinawatra who stated that contracted labour is a crooked form of employment, hence must be given up. In addition, the long demanded amendment of provision on minimum wage to cover the living cost of a worker and his/her family remains unfulfilled. Therefore, it is necessary that the Ministry urgently reconsiders and makes

a new amendment in such way that it is essentially compatible to workers’ needs.

The Female Workers towards Freedom Group voiced their opinion on the Bill that the amended Bill of the Labour Ministry allows pregnant workers to do overtime work. Such practice is not only bad for their health, but also contradicts to the intent of protecting and caring for the health of pregnant workers. Related to this point, workers actually proposed that employers pay half of the normal wage rate for six months to pregnant workers instead of allowing them to do overtime work.

Dr. med. Jaturong said that all workers’ disagreements and proposals would be forwarded to the Labour Minister and a public hearing on the concerned cabinet resolution will be organised as requested by the Alliance of Democratic Workers’ Unions so that it is finally in line with workers’ needs.

Siam Online Newspaper

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