Read this article in:
2 July, 2010IF Metall and IMF visit Electrolux management in Thailand, opening the door for union organizing at the two plants.
THAILAND: IF Metall, once again demonstrated its willingness to act in solidarity with the International Metalworkers' Federation to organize workers in Swedish companies and in this case the Electrolux plants in Rayong, Eastern Seaboard Area in Thailand.
IF Metall International Secretary Erik Andersson and the President of the Electrolux Union in Sweden Ulf Carlsson joined the IMF Regional Representative Arunasalam and IMF Thai affiliate TEAM on a mission to assist in organising the Electrolux plants which produces washing machines and dryers. These plants employ about 700 workers and 60 per cent are male workers.
The mission members met the top management of two Electrolux companies and conveyed their desire to organise these plants under TEAM. They also met several members of the company's welfare committee, and briefed them on their rights to form a union to represent workers interest.
The workers representatives were receptive to the idea of forming union in these companies. Ulf Carlsson explained that in Sweden Electrolux is highly unionized and the relationship between management and his union is positive. He stressed that in Thailand too this could be the situation if the workers could form a union to protect themselves.
Carlsson said it is the desire of his union "to ensure that all the Electrolux plants around the world be unionized and in this regard IF Metall will work with the IMF to make representation to management of companies and also engage the workers wherever possible."
Erik Andersson stressed that, "IF Metall being part of the IMF family would actively engage in the question of organising Swedish companies around the world and this is definitely going to be a big challenge for IF Metall."
The local management of the Electrolux plant was open to the idea of their workers forming a union and this is certainly an encouraging development.
TEAM President, Chalee Loysong expressed his willingness to assist the workers to join TEAM. He hoped other unions in the developed world would emulate this good example of the Swedish union.