Thai government demanded ratification of ILO conventions

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) - On the occasion of the International Labour Day on every May 1, workers’ organizations in Thailand say they will announce their demands, including the Thai government's ratification of some labour conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the reform of the Social Security Office (SSO), now under the supervision of the Thai Ministry of Labour, to be an independent body. Chalee Loysung, Chairman of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, told journalists on Tuesday that his panel will start activities marking the International Labour Day in front of the Thai Parliament on Wednesday morning, after which its members will march to nearby Bangkok's Government House to announce their urgent demands, including the Thai government's ratification of the ILO’s Conventions No. 87 and 98 on rights to organize and bargain collectively, the revocation of laws which violate workers’ rights, the improvement of social security, control on product prices, the reduction in the costs of living and social inequality and the end of state enterprise privatization. Chinachote Saengsang, Chairman of the National Congress of Thai Labour, said, meanwhile, that his group will also file demands with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra related to the closure of workplaces, layoffs, tax exemption on workers’ compensation and the independence of the SSO. Chinachote revealed that his organization will conduct religious ceremonies at the Royal Plaza near the Thai Parliament at 7am, presided by Thai Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap. Then his organization's members will march to Sanam Luang ceremonial ground, where the Thai prime minister will preside over events marking the International Labour Day. (TNA)