Chronology of Master Toy Campaign

14 December 1999
Master Toy Company starts announcing the names of workers to be move to work in Maisto Manufacturing, an ill-equipped warehouse facility.

6 January 2000
Master Toy Workers Union is registered.

17 February 2000
Master Toy company announces they are closing down the factory and moving all 443 workers to Maisto Manufacturing.

29 February 2000
The chairman of the union sends a letter to the Provincial labour attache to let him know about the situation and ask for advice.

14 March 2000
Ms. Rattanawan Jittasareewong, the company secretary, is dismissed due to her involvement with the union.

16 March 2000
The workers send a letter of protest regarding the firing of Ms. Rattanawan Jittasareewong to the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare.

28 March 2000
The first group of workers to be transferred, 174 workers, arrive at the Maisto Manufacturing facility to find it ill-equipped and the working environment provided by the warehouse inhumane: no machinery so workers must do everything by hand, all doors were locked except one, no proper canteen, inadequate bathroom facilities, no protection equipment provided.

29 March 2000
The 174 workers refuse to return to work in the warehouse and return to the Master Toy factory, requesting to continue working there. The company does not allow them to enter the factory grounds. All the workers remaining at Master Toy join them in protest after work. At 11 PM that night, the workers go to seek help from the Prime Minister of Thailand.

The workers camp that night in front of the Ministry of Labour.

2 April 2000
The workers move to demonstrate in front of the Government House.

6 April 2000
Labour inspectors investigate the factory though representatives of the union are not premitted to meet with them.

10 April 2000
The workers demonstrate at the American Embassy. They present a letter to the Ambassador explaining why they are protesting and asking him to contact the California based Maisto division on their behalf.

11 April 2000
The workers demonstrate at the Chinese Embassy. They present a letter to the Ambassador explaining why they are protesting and asking him to contact on their behalf the May Cheong Toy Products Fty. Ltd of Hong Kong, for whom Maisto produces the die cast toys.

The workers burn paper-made effigies of die cast toy cars, of their Hong Kong employers and of the Thai factory administrative manager. This demonstration received prominent media coverage.