A group of workers laid off by SET-listed Mc Group Plc, producer of denim garments under Mc Jeans brand, rallied in front of the stock exchange on Ratchadapisek Road on Monday, demanding fair reinstatement.
Laid-off workers from jeans producer Mc Group Plc stages a symbolic protest in front of the Stock Exchange of Thailand to demand fair treatment. (Photo by Darana Chudasri)
The protest was allowed to continue in front of the Stock Exchange of Thailand premises for about 20 minutes, before dispersing shortly after 10am when the stock market opened.
They complained that the company unfairly sacked 15 workers in the maintenance division on Nov 17.
The company issued a notice saying that it faced tough competition and was unable to solve its internal problems despite several cost-cutting measures, so it decided to dissolve the maintenance unit and pay legal severance compensation.
However, the head of the Mc Jeans Labour Union, Kitti Boonprakongvong, said that while the company complained it was making a loss injustifying the sackings, the executives got six-month bonuses and much work was out-sourced.
The protesters questioned the company’s transparency and governance. Mr Kitti said the company informed workers they would get a 13-day bonus, but they received only a net three-day bonus.
Mr Kitti said he had worked for the company for eight years and was sacked without prior notice, although the company had paid the legal compensation into his bank account.
He would like the company to re-hire the laid-off staff.
Mc Group started trading its shares on the SET in July 2013. In its report to the SET, the company announced 2.48 billion baht in revenue for the first nine months of 2014, with 516 million baht profit.