LABOUR DISPUTE

Bangkok Bank workers stage 'black protest'

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Bank employees yesterday staged a 'black protest' after bank executives refused to boost their salary and annual bonus, which have been frozen for four years. The staff decided to dress in black for a week after they failed to reach agreement with the bank following 25 rounds of talks since August last year.

The latest round of talks on Wednesday hit a dead end.

Chaisit Suksomboon, president of the Bangkok Bank Limited (BBL)'s union, said staff have called for an increase in their pay and bonus.

The bank's annual bonus is fixed at two months of salary.

The union also lodged a complaint with the Labour Ministry's labour protection and welfare department.

''This is the best way out under the labour relations law,'' he said.

Padungsak Thephasadin na Ayutthaya, the department's chief, said the department will call BBL president Chartsiri Sophonpanich and the labour union for more talks tomorrow.

The bank, which is the country's largest commercial bank with more than 650 branches nationwide, has around 20,000 employees. It reported a net profit of 20.3 billion baht last year, a 15.2% increase from 2004.

-- Bangkok Post 2006-03-02

I might start wearing black until they raise my interest rates

Why have staff bonuses been frozen for four years when the bank is making a profit of 20.3 BILLION Baht???

By "frozen" do they mean they have not increased them, or do they mean they have not been paid at all?

Hmmm wondering why wearing black would push the bank to give into their demands. Bit of an odd line of thinking.

Hmmm wondering why wearing black would push the bank to give into their demands. Bit of an odd line of thinking.

Might be one of those believes that wearing Black will bring you bad luck or is not a "prosperous" color ... looks like psychological warfare.

Might not be that effective with any farang boss.

Hmmm wondering why wearing black would push the bank to give into their demands. Bit of an odd line of thinking.

Might be one of those believes that wearing Black will bring you bad luck or is not a "prosperous" color ... looks like psychological warfare.

Might not be that effective with any farang boss.

Given that it is trendy to wear black in some parts or the world. Some of the falang bosses would be wondering about the sudden attack of cool with the staff.

I wonder if the executives had their salaries and bonuses frozen for four years.

A two month salary for a bonus may be, or may not be the average in the industry. The journalist who wrote this story should have provided more information. Yet, if the wages have not increased, then the bonus has not increased.

In four years, the bank's stock pricee has done vey well, so I am sur that there were plenty of profits and bonuses for someone in the bank.