LABOUR UNION DISPUTE

Striking workers block road
PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN
Hundreds of workers from Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) blocked part of Phetchaburi road in Bangkok for hours yesterday to demand management pay their wages while they have been on strike for almost one month.
The workers rallied in front of the Vanit building where their company's head office is situated to demand answers from their management about whether they will be paid for the period they have been on strike, which started on July 30.
About 2,000 employees, who work at the company's factory in Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan province, stopped work to protest against the sacking of labour union leader Jitra Kotchadej early last month.

About 300 workers of Body Fashion Thailand Co (BFT) protest outside Vanit building on Phetchaburi road, demanding the company pay their wages during their almost month-long demonstration against the sacking of labour union leader Jitra Kotchadej. ― KOSOL NAKACHOL


Ms Jitra, 36, was sacked after wearing a T-shirt bearing a slogan supporting the right not to stand when the royal anthem is played in cinemas during her appearance on a television talk show in April.
The Samut Prakan labour court later approved the company's request to dismiss Ms Jitra on the grounds that her public act damaged the company's business and reputation.
Previous rounds of negotiations with the management of the company, which is the manufacturing arm of undergarment giant Triumph International, concluded that the company would reinstate the labour union leader. However, the company did not answer the workers' demands for wages during their strike. They expected an answer from the management yesterday, but to no avail.
The rally on Phetchaburi road started yesterday morning and finally dispersed at about 3pm yesterday as labour authorities told the workers the BFT management would be available for talks tomorrow.
Ms Jitra went to the Labour Protection and Welfare Department in Din Daeng district yesterday to ask labour authorities to arrange negotiations between her union and the management.
The workers who went on strike are receiving financial assistance from the labour union of Thai Airways International and a group of academics and activists, who are gathering donations.
Somsak Manop, the deputy president of the airline's labour union, said yesterday that the assistance was aimed at resisting any attempt at unfair treatment against employees.