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10 October, 2011In an attempt to enlist shipbuilding workers in Thailand IMF representative met the local union leaders of a large shipbuilding facility in Thailand.
THAILAND: Known as the Detroit of the east due to the presence of some of the big names in the automobile industry, Chonburi lies a three hour drive from Bangkok, in the Eastern Seaboard area of Thailand. Nestled in this vast industrial area and seafront is one of Thailand's shipbuilding companies, the Unithai Shipbuilding & Enginnering Co.
IMF regional representative Arunasalam.P attended the 10th Annual General Meeting of the Labour Union of Unithai Shipbuilding & Engineering Workers in the hope of enlisting them into the folds of the IMF. More than one thousand workers and members of this union attended.
Arunasalam.P addressed the meeting and urged the participants to join the IMF through its Thai affiliate TEAM. He also gave some background information on the IMF and its struggle for workers and trade union rights, stressing the importance of unifying workers at the national and international levels. The tragic news of the fatal accident at the Keppel Subic Shipyard in the Philippines, where five workers lost their life came in at that moment, and Arunasalam.P highlighted the importance of occupational safety and health in this hazardous industry.
Khun Chatchai, President of the local union, welcomed the idea of joining the IMF. He stressed that Thai workers should look beyond the horizon and explore possibilities to engage with other unions around the world. He assured that his union would discuss this proposal and decide accordingly.