Angry Thai Kansai Paint workers camp outside plant
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More than 500 workers yesterday rallied at the Thai Kansai Paint factory in Samut Prakan to demand continued employment and better welfare benefits.
“Last Friday, we were told the long weekend was just a holiday. But on Sunday evening, we received an SMS from our employer stating that its factories will be closed,” Adithorn Yodrak, vice chairman of the company’s labour union, said yesterday.
Their employer suddenly closed its two factories – the other is in Rayong – ostensibly for “improvements”, Adithorn said.
Thai Kansai Paint manufactures products under the Fan brand, including industrial coatings for automobiles.
When the union checked on the Samut Prakan plant, it found an announcement saying the facility was closed for repair and no wages would be paid.
“The announcement also said anyone still interested in working with the company should contact his supervisor by [Friday]. There’s also an announcement of job vacancies,” he said.
The union then called the protest. The workers plan to camp out until management agrees to reinstate them and promises better welfare benefits.
The demand for better welfare benefits has been made since October, but management has refused to agree, citing impacts from the flooding. It remains unclear whether the demand is linked to the company’s decision to temporarily shut down its facilities and start looking for new workers.
“We will protest till our demand is met,” Adithorn said.
The welfare package demanded by workers includes the payment of a bonus at six times the monthly salary plus Bt20,000, and an annual salary adjustment of 5.5 per cent plus Bt800.
The workers also want a hike in monthly allowances – from Bt500 to Bt1,000 for cost of living, from Bt1,500 to Bt2,500 for housing, and from Bt1,500 to Bt1,800 for food, plus free rice.
