Solidarity with Thai railway workers

SIGTUR supports international workers rights including the right to strike. SIGTUR asks you to express your solidarity with the ITF-affiliated SRUT (State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand) by visiting the Thai diplomatic mission in your country within the next two weeks.

In an unexpected decision the country’s Labour Court has found against seven SRUT national leaders for their part in a safety-related industrial action two years ago, paving the way for their dismissal and the levying of a THB15 million (USD505,000) fine. Further damages may be awarded against the union.

An emergency resolution has been unanimously adopted by the Asia/Pacific Railway Workers Section Committee meeting in Bangkok on 30 July. The meeting believed the decision reflected an ongoing attempt to destroy the SRUT as an effective trade union and open the way to privatisation across the country’s state enterprises.

The ITF is taking its protests to the Thai government and asks you to act to support the union in the next two weeks – the period under which an appeal can be filed against the court’s decision, and during which the SRT may try to pre-empt such an appeal by sacking the union officials.

Visit the ‘Solidarity with Thai railway workers’ campaign page here for more information on the dispute, a list of Embassies and a model letter.  

If you have any queries please contact Mac Urata, Inland Transport Section Secretary ITF.