5 May, 2011IMF mission on base metals in Thailand meets with workers on organizing in TNCs and Labour Ministry official on ratification of ILO Conventions.
THAILAND: During a recent study tour of the base metals industry the International Metalworkers' Federation met with Amporn Nitisir, Director General of the Ministry of Labour. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current issues faced by industry and unions in the base metals sector and the role that government can play.
During the meeting the IMF delegation outlined ongoing concerns over freedom of association laws in Thailand. In particular the fact that successive Thai government's had failed to ratify ILO Conventions 87 and 98 which deal with the Freedom of Association. The Director General replied that she felt progress had been made with a recent bill passing through congress and awaiting approval within the Senate, which would then allow the Thai Government to ratify the ILO conventions.
However the decision to call a general election would mean that the process could not move forward until a new government had been elected. The Director General stated that whatever the result of the election the Labour Ministry would continue to press for ratification at the earliest opportunity. It was also clear during the meeting that Chalee Loysong, President of IMF's affiliate TEAM had played a very prominent role in lobbying and pressuring government for support.
The IMF's Regional Representative Arunasalam informed the Director General that "Organizing workers in this region is never easy, that's why it's so important for governments to ensure fairness. If we have a level playing field then the labour movement can flourish in the true spirit of social justice."
As part of the mission participants attend an organizing labour union committee meeting at the Solidarity Centre and addressed over 20 local union organizers.
Other issues discussed in the meetings included foreign investment into Thailand, from large TNCs such as ArcelorMittal, Bluescope, Tata Steel. A new development was also the recent outward investment of SSI a Thai steel company in Teeside in the United Kingdom. Despite the fact that many of these foreign TNCs have organized workforces in other countries, union density in Thailand remains low.
During the mission participants also met with Heads of Industry from SSI and Tata Steel to discuss issues of common interest such as climate change, building greater cooperation, and maintaining a sustainable industry. The Thai Steel industry mainly supplies the construction industry, automotive sector, canning and white goods sector with overall consumption in each sector growing.
Mick Leahy General Secretary of Community and President of the IMF Steel Department summarized the meetings by saying, "We have had a positive mission and opened up a communication channel with government. During our visit we have also met with Heads of Industry, and local union leaders and all seem open to working together, which can only benefit the industry and workers."