Triumph union wants leader reinstated
By Penchan Charoensuthipan & Kultida Samabuddhi
Triumph International's labour union has called on the world's largest undergarment manufacturer to send representatives from its headquarters in Germany to discuss the sacking of the union's leader. Wanpen Wongsombat, a union committee member, yesterday said negotiations with regional representatives had made little progress and the union wanted Triumph executives from Germany to hear first-hand information about their case.
''We don't know if Triumph International got the right information from their regional representatives,'' Ms Wanpen said.
Hundreds of workers were on strike for the 11th day yesterday. About 100 workers blocked Bang Phli industrial estate's intersection, while 1,000 employees blocked the factory's entrance.
They demanded Body Fashion, Triumph International's manufacturing arm, reinstate union president Jitra Kotchadej, refrain from taking legal and disciplinary action against striking workers and remove company executives who tried to disrupt union activities.
Ms Jitra was fired on July 8 after the company obtained provincial labour court permission. Body Fashion accused Ms Jitra, 36, of damaging its reputation by wearing a T-shirt with a campaign slogan supporting the right of people to not stand when the royal anthem is played in a cinema.
Ms Jitra denied insulting the monarchy and said that she had a right to wear any T-shirt. She also insisted her appearances and comments on television had nothing to do with the company because she had made it clear that it was her personal opinion.
The company told union representatives yesterday that it would decide whether or not to comply with the workers' three-point demand on Wednesday.
Samut Prakan governor Anuwat Maytheewibulwut yesterday visited striking workers and instructed provincial officials to provide basic facilities, such as a mobile toilet, electrical generator and drinking water to strikers to ease tensions.
''The company has followed required legal steps to dismiss the labour union leader,'' the governor said. ''All we can do now is look after the protesting workers.''
He said Thai executives of Body Fashion had softened their stance and wanted to compromise with workers, but foreign executives were strongly against complying with worker demands.
Sakda Thepcharoennirand of the Labour Protection and Welfare Department, who attended yesterday's tripartite talks, said the negotiations made little progress.
''Both sides are standing firm with their positions. It will be difficult to reach any agreement if the situation continues like this,'' he said.
The workers have vowed to continue the strike action until their demands are met.
Striking Body Fashion worker Jintana Mankong, 55, said the employees were united in their fight for the reinstatement of the union leader.
''If our leader is treated unfairly, workers will be at a disadvantage and their basic rights could easily be violated by the employer in the future,'' she said.
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