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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 25/2004
As ICEM Thai affiliate EGAT-LU prepares for a 17 May public hearing to block privatising the nation's electric and water industries, the Brussels-based global union federation-on the request of EGAT-LU-has declared 24-28 May as "International Week of Action." Trade unions across the world are asked to express a visible means of support for EGAT-LU and other unions in Thailand that are resisting the government's rush to privatise the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
"The members of EGAT-LU, as well as members of the Metropolitan Electric-City Authority Union (MEA) and the Provincial Electric-City Authority City (PEA), have brought common cause to all citizens of Thailand in calling on the government to abandon this misguided privatisation effort," said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"The ICEM has pledged to the Thai unions that it would keep workers around the world informed of their struggle and would continue the expressions of solidarity. Throughout the last week of May, we're asking the world's trade unions to take direct action."
Specifically, ICEM is calling on unions to write protest letters to the Thai embassies in their countries, and to plan demonstrations at those embassies in support of the agenda of EGAT-LU, MEA and PEA. Unions are encouraged to utilize other innovative means of protest to the Thai government as well.
In Thailand, the unions will also observe the week by bringing mass numbers of rural citizens to picket lines in front of EGAT; the unions with consumer groups will coordinate protests outside the offices of the IMF and World Bank in Thailand; the use of yellow ribbons will increase as the symbol against privatising essential public services; and industrial actions will escalate, although the unions remain steadfast that electricity supplies will be maintained.
The 17 May public meetings in Bangkok before the Senate Commission of Inquiry will be the first public hearings since January and February when the government sent low-level bureaucrats to staff the hearings. At a hearing 25 January at EGAT offices in Bang Kruai, many EGAT-LU members were denied the opportunity to speak, resulting in a demonstration and abrupt halt to the hearing when workers walked out.
EGAT-LU, MEA and PEA are seeking adherence to a 23 April memorandum between the unions and the new chairman of EGAT stating that privatising state utilities of electricity and water will not occur, and the State Enterprise Act of 1999 that enables the privatisations be abandoned. Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra negated that commitment on 26 April by announcing privatisation would go forward.
The unions also seek a return to negotiations where they are prepared to propose new and broader efficiencies for the utilities. The unions also will spell out corrupt practices inside the utilities such as the insider trading schemes and other irregularities, and ask for full disclosure on government plans to expand EGAT into Laos and Burma, as well as clarifications on IMF loans and the conditions of those loans.
The ICEM asks that global trade unions cover those points in letters to Thai authorities. The unions have adopted the theme "Don't Sell Us Out" as their battle cry for this phase of the escalating campaign to block privatisation inside Thailand.
"The members of EGAT-LU, as well as members of the Metropolitan Electric-City Authority Union (MEA) and the Provincial Electric-City Authority City (PEA), have brought common cause to all citizens of Thailand in calling on the government to abandon this misguided privatisation effort," said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"The ICEM has pledged to the Thai unions that it would keep workers around the world informed of their struggle and would continue the expressions of solidarity. Throughout the last week of May, we're asking the world's trade unions to take direct action."
Specifically, ICEM is calling on unions to write protest letters to the Thai embassies in their countries, and to plan demonstrations at those embassies in support of the agenda of EGAT-LU, MEA and PEA. Unions are encouraged to utilize other innovative means of protest to the Thai government as well.
In Thailand, the unions will also observe the week by bringing mass numbers of rural citizens to picket lines in front of EGAT; the unions with consumer groups will coordinate protests outside the offices of the IMF and World Bank in Thailand; the use of yellow ribbons will increase as the symbol against privatising essential public services; and industrial actions will escalate, although the unions remain steadfast that electricity supplies will be maintained.
The 17 May public meetings in Bangkok before the Senate Commission of Inquiry will be the first public hearings since January and February when the government sent low-level bureaucrats to staff the hearings. At a hearing 25 January at EGAT offices in Bang Kruai, many EGAT-LU members were denied the opportunity to speak, resulting in a demonstration and abrupt halt to the hearing when workers walked out.
EGAT-LU, MEA and PEA are seeking adherence to a 23 April memorandum between the unions and the new chairman of EGAT stating that privatising state utilities of electricity and water will not occur, and the State Enterprise Act of 1999 that enables the privatisations be abandoned. Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra negated that commitment on 26 April by announcing privatisation would go forward.
The unions also seek a return to negotiations where they are prepared to propose new and broader efficiencies for the utilities. The unions also will spell out corrupt practices inside the utilities such as the insider trading schemes and other irregularities, and ask for full disclosure on government plans to expand EGAT into Laos and Burma, as well as clarifications on IMF loans and the conditions of those loans.
The ICEM asks that global trade unions cover those points in letters to Thai authorities. The unions have adopted the theme "Don't Sell Us Out" as their battle cry for this phase of the escalating campaign to block privatisation inside Thailand.