Thursday, October 22, 2009

STATE-ENTERPRISE UNIONS BACK RAIL WORKERS' ANTI-PRIVATISATION STANCE

       A group of state-enterprise labour unions yesterday expressed support for the beleaguered State Railway of Thailand's anti-privatisation stance as southbound service resumed following a five-day strike.

       Last Friday, the SRT's union claimed workers went on strike because of a lack of safety on southern routes.
       However, another major reason behind the work stoppage, which seriously hurt train commuters and cargo services, came to light yesterday: to derail the government's plan for partial privatisation of SRT operations.
       The Cabinet is due to consider a Transport Ministry proposal in the next few weeks that would require the SRT to set up a company to run the new Airport Rail Link between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
       The SRT would also set up another company to manage its vast properties nationwide.
       Sirichai Mai-ngam, head of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's labour union, said 43 state enterprises agreed at yesterday's meeting to back the SRT's anti-privatisation stance.
       "This privatisation programme would only lead to huge financial benefits for certain interest groups," he said in explaining why the unions were joining forces to oppose the plan.
       However, Phien Yongnoo, head of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's labour union, said the SRT's labour union should not hurt the general public as it did by going on strike.
       "It's unacceptable to strand so many passengers. The image of state-enterprise labour unions was badly damaged by this act. The SRT's union should be more honest with people. Our position is to ensure the innocent are not held hostage by any protest attempt," he said.
       Meanwhile, the first Bangkok-bound train left Hat Yai railway station in Songkhla province yesterday afternoon after hundreds of police and military were deployed to end the five-day-long strike.
       Provincial governor Winyu Thongsakul said the SRT's union also let four locomotives leave Hat Yai for repair in Bangkok.

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