Three hundred demonstrators from Inter Moda Trade Union have been demonstrating in front of Government House since 10 September 2007 to remind the cabinet of their demand of 30 August for the cabinet to come up with compensation for workers who were laid off after the closure of the Inter Moda garment factory.  

In the latest incident, which took place on the morning of 11 September 2007, the trade unionists divided themselves into groups of 30 to 40 people and positioned themselves outside the gates of Government House attempting to meet the Prime Minister, General Surayud Chulanont. The PM was attending the weekly cabinet meeting. However, the PM's convoy went straight into Government House, without stopping to meet them.   

At around 9.30 am, the demonstrators then gathered in front of Government House, opposite the Office of the Civil Service Commission. Ten female representatives stripped off their clothes, and wrapped white cloths around bearing the message "I lost everything when you came". Then they threw their underwear and clothes into Government House, as a symbolic protest that they have lost everything after being laid off.  

While the representatives of the demonstrators were protesting, a journalist asked what forced the workers to do this. One worker, in tears, described the hardship being laid off, leading to the rest of the demonstrators to burst into tears. The mood in front of Government House then turned very sorrowful.  

A representative of Mr. Jirayu Nontaratorn, Director of the Coordination and Evaluation Division, Public Assistance Centre, Prime Minister's Office, along with Ministry of Labour officials later contacted the workers to open negotiations. However, no progress was made. Mr. Jirayu suggested that the workers refer the matter to the Ministry of Labour, but the workers pointed out that the issue had already been forwarded to the Ministry. The problem was that the employer refused to pay compensation, and Ministry of Labour did not have the jurisdiction to use the financial deposit to pay the workers. Therefore, they were asking for the cabinet to deal with this.  

At 1.00 pm, Pol Maj Gen Manit Wongsomboon, the Commander of Metropolitan Police 1, ordered one division of the 191 Special Police Force to pressure the demonstrators to disperse, alleging that the demonstrators were blocking traffic. The police attempted to confiscate the amplifiers, but were prevented when the demonstrators gathered around the amplifiers.  

Ms. Sriprai Nonsee, member of the Rangsit and Nearby Areas Trade Union Committee, explained that the Thai Silp and Inter Moda factory cases were different. In the case of Thai Silp, the factory owner allowed the employees to sell the machines in the factory to provide the compensation. However, the owner of Inter Moda had not allowed this. The workers were not allowed access into the factory to check whether the machines had been removed to other factories.  

Ms. Sriprai also clarified that uniformed soldiers have been stationed on a daily basis to monitor the workers demonstrations through the night. This creates intense tension for the workers.  

Meanwhile, the Inter Moda Trade Union declared that if the government cannot come up with a solution, workers will call for another mass demonstration in front of Government House on 19 September 2007 until a clarification is given.  

Mr. Padungsak Thephasdin Na Ayuthaya, Director-General of the Department of Welfare and Labour Protection, reported progress in helping the Inter Moda Co. Ltd. employees. Currently he is waiting for the 277 workers to report to the Department. The employers will then be called for questioning as it is a part of the legal procedure. There will be an analysis to find out the numbers of workers who should receive compensation based on the period each one has been with the company.  In terms of the 24 million baht compensation that the workers are demanding from the government, Mr. Padungsak said that the reserve assistance fund for workers cannot be used, since it can only be used if the employer cannot be located. Mr. Padungsak also warned the workers not to become the tool of a political group, and asked the workers to consider themselves first.

Translated by Pokpong Lawansiri