Thai bosses urge delay in signing global labour-rights pacts

[Balance]

A couple of days ago Thai Chamber of Commerce was lobbying for laws to be tightened regarding foreign investors, as they believed it would improve standards and lower corruption etc. However, now that they have a chance to improve standards by allowing unions etc. suddenly the bar cannot be set low enough.

Of course, the real reason is that kicking out foreign companies is considered beneficial to Thai Chamber of Commerce members as it means less competition, while labour unions are likely to increase costs for the member companies.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is a disgrace, but at least it reflects it's members very well - greed and selfishness above all else.

Do you feel unions are good?

In the U.S. during the 50's through most of the 70's labor unions were the direct cause of the growth of the American middle class. The underlying precept was that if companies were doing well, the workers should share in the value they were adding. It came as no surprise that a middle class with more money to spend was the direct cause in big GDP gains. Another benefit that the oligarchs to this day deny is that they made more money, not less. Yes, trade unions and higher wages made money for everyone. But for the power elites of the world, it is about more than the money; it is about existential fear of losing power and having to sit down with the workers and treat them as equals and acknowledge the dignity of work.

[elgordo38]

Wealth has to be redistributed either peacefully or through violence. I think later the latter will win out as the rich want more and more at the expense of the poor. Take away a man's food and lodgings and he will fight.

[fab4]

fab4 post # 12

Of course there are some (generally, and I write that without even a hint of irony, well, maybe a bit, by those who are ardent supporters of such people) that will still insist that there is no such thing as the "elite" or "amart" whose mantra is feudalism .............................

Indeed a gem of wisdom from the greatest supporter of a corrupt privileged elite clan their ilk and all of their assorted enterprises both business and politically.

Maybe you'll learn something, siampolee, though I have my doubts............................ You may have read my reply to another of "your ilk" who seems to regard that people who are rich cannot be "champions" of the poor - you appear to be of the same mindset. I don't recall either myself or indeed, Thaksin himself, denying that he could be regarded as part of the "elite" though I do have a problem with your assertion that Thaksin by extension of being such is also a supporter of feudalism. That would be a stupid accusation to make.

[fab4]

rotary post # 18.

Do you feel unions are good?

At the time of their establishment and indeed for a good many years after trade unions were essential in improving the lot of their membership, there was a bond of common sense between both employers and the union bosses as time went on.

However as time passed certain union bosses saw a chance to strengthen their future both politically and financially, that is when the rot set in.

I well remember Scargill staying in a top hotel during the miners strike while the striking miners were all but destitute and in many cases nearly starving, Scargill and his ilk did not go short in Scargills political war campaign.

The miners were the poor pawns and Scargill continues to this day to abuse both his long gone authority and position, see how the N.U.M had to seek a court order to actually remove Scargill from their property ,Oh yes Arthur Scargill and his ilk destroyed decent trade unionism.

Scargill and one or two other so called union leaders were out to undermine the governments of their day. The supported a soviet style form of government and used the unions through strikes and agitation to try reach their objective, Scargill was closely connected to the soviet union.

The mining and car industries were completely ruined by these despots who had no real concern for their members welfare.

Scargill received a high salary and lived in a very nice property. As always some "workers" are more equal. I remember his thugs out on the street corners shaking their collecting buckets for donations during the miner's strike; and the courage of those who formed the NUDM as an alternative to his extreme politics.

Thailand does not need corrupt liars like Scargill. But they do need some who will fight for the basic rights of workers who are in many cases still treated like serfs.

You weren't one of thatchers private army were you? I don't think I have read such a load of rubbish (by you and siampolee) about Scargill, the Miners Strike and the Trade Union movement since thatcher was alive.

[heybruce]

"Business operators and the committee agreed that the country was reorganising its foreign labour force, so it was not ready to adapt if local and foreign workers gained the right to form a union without consent from the government. Such a move might upset "national stability", the bosses say."

Does Thailand currently have any government approved unions?

Clever playing the "national stability" card--"You can't give workers rights, it's too scary!"

[monkeycountry]

A couple of days ago Thai Chamber of Commerce was lobbying for laws to be tightened regarding foreign investors, as they believed it would improve standards and lower corruption etc. However, now that they have a chance to improve standards by allowing unions etc. suddenly the bar cannot be set low enough.

Of course, the real reason is that kicking out foreign companies is considered beneficial to Thai Chamber of Commerce members as it means less competition, while labour unions are likely to increase costs for the member companies.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is a disgrace, but at least it reflects it's members very well - greed and selfishness above all else.

Do you feel unions are good?

It is irrelevant what I feel or think, or whether unions are good or not. What matters is that the workers should have the right to form unions or otherwise organise any way they see fit. The companies or the Thai Chamber of Commerce should not even have a say in the matter.

[Strangebrew]

Well I never you expect me to pay fair wages? or even pay them at all? Next you'll be telling me that they should get days off and have breaks and stuff.

[soalbundy]

The very fact these businesses want to stop this, shoud be sending a clear signal they have something to hide.

They have nothing to hide, it isn't as if they are ashamed of exploitation,they just want to keep on doing it

[zyphodb]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Of course there are some (generally, and I write that without even a hint of irony, well, maybe a bit, by those who are ardent supporters of such people) that will still insist that there is no such thing as the "elite" or "amart" whose mantra is feudalism ............................. alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

Feudalism - enforced by restricted education, protectionism, restricted (if any) competition, high "luxury' taxes on foreign products, non enforcement of minimum wage and basic employment, debt, and a strict adherence to a social class order that's an anachronism. All underpinned by a judicial system that favors the wealthy and connected.

Those at the top in such a pyramid have no desire to change, and every reason to resist change, whatever label you give them.

No political party has changed this because they are all controlled by members of the elite. They simply vie for the power and riches among themselves.

No political party, including the various Thaksin controlled ones, shows any real desire to actually change anything. To busy enriching themselves and their families.

Of course, there are some ardent billionaire Thaksin supporters who like to pretend PTP and the UDD are different.

No likes left, got to agree totally with this... sad isn't it...

[DLock]

Of course there are some (generally, and I write that without even a hint of irony, well, maybe a bit, by those who are ardent supporters of such people) that will still insist that there is no such thing as the "elite" or "amart" whose mantra is feudalism .............................

Feudalism - enforced by restricted education, protectionism, restricted (if any) competition, high "luxury' taxes on foreign products, non enforcement of minimum wage and basic employment, debt, and a strict adherence to a social class order that's an anachronism. All underpinned by a judicial system that favors the wealthy and connected.

Those at the top in such a pyramid have no desire to change, and every reason to resist change, whatever label you give them.

No political party has changed this because they are all controlled by members of the elite. They simply vie for the power and riches among themselves.

No political party, including the various Thaksin controlled ones, shows any real desire to actually change anything. To busy enriching themselves and their families.

Of course, there are some ardent billionaire Thaksin supporters who like to pretend PTP and the UDD are different.

Succinct and on point.

Could not have put it better.

A+.

[Thaddeus]

rotary post # 18.

Do you feel unions are good?

At the time of their establishment and indeed for a good many years after trade unions were essential in improving the lot of their membership, there was a bond of common sense between both employers and the union bosses as time went on.

However as time passed certain union bosses saw a chance to strengthen their future both politically and financially, that is when the rot set in.

I well remember Scargill staying in a top hotel during the miners strike while the striking miners were all but destitute and in many cases nearly starving, Scargill and his ilk did not go short in Scargills political war campaign.

The miners were the poor pawns and Scargill continues to this day to abuse both his long gone authority and position, see how the N.U.M had to seek a court order to actually remove Scargill from their property ,Oh yes Arthur Scargill and his ilk destroyed decent trade unionism.

Scargill and one or two other so called union leaders were out to undermine the governments of their day. The supported a soviet style form of government and used the unions through strikes and agitation to try reach their objective, Scargill was closely connected to the soviet union.

The mining and car industries were completely ruined by these despots who had no real concern for their members welfare.

Scargill received a high salary and lived in a very nice property. As always some "workers" are more equal. I remember his thugs out on the street corners shaking their collecting buckets for donations during the miner's strike; and the courage of those who formed the NUDM as an alternative to his extreme politics.

Thailand does not need corrupt liars like Scargill. But they do need some who will fight for the basic rights of workers who are in many cases still treated like serfs.

You weren't one of thatchers private army were you? I don't think I have read such a load of rubbish (by you and siampolee) about Scargill, the Miners Strike and the Trade Union movement since thatcher was alive.

One question about the venerable Arthur, is he still poor? or has he ever been.

[siampolee]

Fab 4 yet again shows his or her true colours .I did not mention Thaksin in my comments yet fab 4 gets on his or her hobby horse and rides to defend Thaksin and indeed socialism which is something that Thaksin abhorred.

I was not a member of Thatchers army , however I lie many others saw Scargill and his ilk for what they were.

So a question fab4.

You are so concerned with equality and justice why have we not seen any comments from you regarding the dubious state of affairs concerning the Koh Tao matter?

Or why are you not at the forefront of a movement to improve the lot of the workers in general?

Oh I or rather we forgot, no political mileage in either of those causes for you or your hero who strangely enough was a police officer as well as a business person,can't upset the boss can we fab4.

You came to Thailand because you liked that which you saw, sadly now you want to make Thailand as you want it, the place you escaped from.

Now why would that be either monetary or political motivation perhaps? and to he

Edited November 5, 2014 by siampolee