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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 04/2004
S ome 5,000 workers and supporters demonstrated 30 January in Bangkok against the imminent privatisation of Thailand's electric industry. The demonstration signifies the growing disgust over the government's obstruction to workers of ICEM affiliate EGAT-Lu having a say in the privatisation process.
Members of EGAT-LU march 30 January in Bangkok
protesting government's privatisation
of electric energy
The rally occurred five days after a hearing was held purportedly to give workers employed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) an opportunity to air their views and concerns. But the politicians and policy-makers failed to attend and government bureaucrats staffed the hearing. When many of the 1,000 EGAT-LU members in attendance were denied the opportunity to speak, visible demonstrations inside the meeting hall ensued until authorities squashed them.
The hearing was abruptly halted when workers walked out.
"The walkout occurred because participants were treated unfairly by the chair," said EGAT-LU General Secretary Sirichai Maingam. "Many were not allowed to express their opinions, and the government bureaucrats did not answer questions from the floor."
That prompted the 30 January demonstration in which EGAT-LU members and workers affiliated with two other unions at EGAT marched outside the Thai Parliament. This demonstration was joined by hundreds of people from Thailand's Assembly of the Poor, a grass-roots organisation representing those adversely affected by mega-development projects.
ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs said access to secure, safe and affordable energy in meeting the needs of a country's citizens "is a fundamental right which fulfills basic social needs.
"Evidence exists worldwide that privatisation of essential services inevitably leads to price hikes as electricity or a nation's water supply is treated as a commodity that is traded for maximum profit," stated Higgs.
The ICEM issued a global call to all affiliates in the energy and electric industries 19 January to protest the freezing out of workers' views over electric privatisation in Thailand. Some 20 affiliates responded with letters to Prime Minister Dr. Thaskin Sinawatra and Energy Minister Sathaporn Maneerat.
EGAT is scheduled to be registered as a holding firm 1 March on Bangkok's stock exchange. "We will continue to monitor the process, to bargain for EGAT workers' rights, benefits and job security," pledged EGAT-LU General Secretary Sirichai. "We will observe closely the impact of privatisation as well as the impact on the general public regarding prices. And we will vigilantly keep our eyes on the buying and selling of EGAT shares to know who are the buyers and investors."