More state enterprises join protests

Members of the labour unions of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) assembled at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge near Government House on Tuesday morning, pressuring the cabinet to approve a proposal for a monthly allowance of 2,000 baht for MWA and MEA employees.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, who oversees both state enterprises, had previously promised MWA and MEA employees that the government would increase their allowances, MEA labour union chief Pian Yongnu said.

MWA and MEA workers would definitely stage a mass protest against the government if the cabinet disapproves or postpones the proposal,  he said.

Both labour unions warned that if the government tries to buy time they might join the anti-government demonstration of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on June 27.

However, workers would not cause difficulties for the public by cutting off electricity or water supplies.

Mr Boonjong said the proposal had been submitted to the cabinet for consideration. The plan was to help MWA and MEA workers during the economic crisis, he said.

Mr Boonjong said he had no problems with Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij's opposition to the move because the government may not have the money to pay the allowances.

He said the necessary funds would be taken from the state enterprises' revenues, not from the government budget.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) labour union leader Sawit Kaewwan said the rail workers would continue their nationwide strike until the cabinet comes up with a clear resolution on what he insists is a long-term plan to privatise the SRT.

The rail workers could not accept the government's plan to set up two private companies, to manage train services and  other assets,  because it would lead to a privatisation in the end, he said.

The workers would just wait for the cabinet to totally withdraw this plan before they return to work , he said.

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said he would take the proposals put forward by the labour union of the SRT to the meeting of the cabinet for consideration.

“The outcome of the consideration will depend on the cabinet. The demand by the SRT union that the cabinet resolution on SRT rehabilitation plan be revoked is not possible, as it would be a violation of the law,” Mr Sohpon said.

He said the restructuring plan would directly benefit the SRT as the government would shoulder all the debt and investment costs in the future. There would be no privatisation of the SRT as some people fear.

Mr Sohpon said he was a little suspicious about the position of the SRT union because it had taken no earlier action on this issue, but had suddenly staged a nationwide work stoppage without any prior notice.

While the minister had no idea whether the move was politically motivated, he believed there must be some motive behind it.