Thailand: Freedom of Expression Denied to Triumph Union Leader
Friday, 05 September 2008 11:51
Labour Behind the Label and The Clean Clothes Campaign are calling on
Triumph International, one of the world’s largest brands of
intimate apparel, to reinstate former union president Jitra Kotshadej
at one of its factories in Thailand. Ms Kotshadej was dismissed after
appearing on national television wearing a campaign t-shirt that the
company claim 'brought them into disrepute'. Take action >>
Ms. Kotshadej was dismissed on July 30, 2008, from Triumph’s Body Fashion (Thailand) Ltd, a Thai subsidiary of Triumph International dismissed for wearing a t-shirt supporting a campaign for greater freedom of expression. The t-shirt read: ‘Those who do not stand are not criminals. Thinking differently is not a crime.’ The t-shirt refers to the arrest and prosecution under lèse-majesté legislation of a man who refused to stand during the royal anthem when it was played at a cinema. The campaign claims that the prosecution constituted an abuse of legislation to suppress political opposition and freedom of speech.
Ms. Kotshadej wore the t-shirt while participating in a national televised debate on women’s reproductive rights which took place on April 24, 2008. Despite the fact that she was speaking in her private time and not in her capacity as a union leader or worker at the Triumph factory, management claim that Ms. Kotshadej defamed the reputation of the company by wearing the t-shirt on national television.
In July 2008 the company filed a petition with the labour court and received permission to dismiss her. Her dismissal coincided with negotiations being carried out between management and the union. The management did not inform her about the case being filed against her, nor did she receive the summons or court order, both of which were sent to an old address. As a result Ms. Kotshadej never had a chance to defend herself against these charges. Following her dismissal, 3000 of her co-workers walked out of the factory in a show of solidarity.
The workers are demanding Ms. Kotshadej’s reinstatement and a guarantee that the company won’t take any disciplinary measures against workers participating in the strike. After several meetings between the union, factory management and government officials, no agreement has been reached in this case.
In response to pressure from the CCC, Triumph International claimed to agree 'in principle' with the three demands presented by the workers, but then issued a statement in which it expressed its unwillingness “to discuss reinstatement of the former employee at this time”.
Triumph is denying Ms. Kotshadej the basic human right of freedom of expression, which is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as of the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which lays down the principles companies should adhere to in regard to labour and consumer rights.
Please support the Triumph International workers in Thailand, and call for the immediate reinstatement of their union president. Write today to Triumph International's headquarters in Switzerland, and call upon the company to:
1) Immediately and unconditionally reinstate union president Jitra Kotshadej at her previous position;
2) Take back the union members who have stopped work in support of Ms. Jitra Kotshadej, without conditions or disciplinary actions, and with a compensation for their lost income;
3) Engage in a dialogue with the union regarding the reported anti-union activities of BFT management staff members.
For more information, see also:
Fact sheet on Triumph case
Website of the Thai Labour Campaign
