ICEM affiliates action in support of EGAT privatisation protest

May 26 2004

On the 95th day of the EGAT privatisation protest, the EGAT Labour Union was joined by Thailand's affiliates of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Union (ICEM) at the Egat headquarters. The day of national action in Thailand corresponds with the international week of action, 24-28 May, called by ICEM to support its affiliate EGAT LU in their struggle against government privatisation plans.

ICEM affiliates joining the Egat union are the Chemical Workers Union Alliance (CWUA), Government Pharmaceutical Organization Union Federation (GPO), the Paper and Printing Union Federation of Thailand (PPFT) and the Petroleum and Chemical Union Federation (PCFT). Three of the five Thailand ICEM affiliate unions represent workers in the private sector. In Thailand public and private sector unions are separate by Thai labour law, but workers from all five unions have joined to move beyond traditional boundaries separating public and private workers to join in solidarity to fight the privatisation plans.

Egat LU President Sirichai Maingam said "Today we have strong solidarity support from workers in the private sector and we also commit ourselves to them, we belong together as a part of the labour movement. Today we have solidarity action here in Thailand, and tomorrow ICEM affiliates in Belgium will organize an action at the Thai Embassy in Brussels in support of our struggle."

Many other ICEM affiliates in other countries around the world have committed to organize days of action in support of the privatisation protest in Thailand. Please take a few minutes to send an email of protest to PM Thaksin at: http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=27

Sirichai concluded by stating "We will continue our fight".

The GPO union President Rawai Pupaka said to Egat members "Today we wear the same clothes as Egat along with other workers and affiliates in different parts of the world as a sign of our solidarity in the struggle." In response to government plans to launch a road show in support of the sale of Egat, Rawai said "ICEM affiliates worldwide will organize action to counter the government propaganda."

He went on to say the Egat protest is historic as this is the longest running protest in the Public sector in Thailand. GPO confirmed commitment to stand by and struggle with Egat.

PPFT Vice-president Wanchai Krutkate said "The Egat protest is significant not only for Thailand but for the world as we are all confronted by globalization and liberalisation." He expressed his admiration for the Egat workers for their strong determination. PPFT also committed their support for the continued privatisation protest.