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[parat nanakorn]

 Dear Friends
this is the news from Intermoda workers.

Solidarity,

Parat Nanakorn

APWSL Coordinator





September 2007

*Problems for workers at*
*Inter Moda Garment Factory*
*Patum Tanee province, Thailand*


Dear workers, unionists and friends

Inter Moda Co. Ltd. is situated at 39 Moo 15 Soi Klong Si Tawanoak 73,
Tambol Klong Si, Amper Klong Luang, Patum Tanee.  This is a garment factory
for export to the EU.

Mr. Wasan Asawastitporn is the managing director. The company was
established in March 5, 2003 .

The total number of employees is 363.   85% are women with an average age at
40 and an average working years of 4.  They receive a basic wages of 191
baht a day or 4,966 baht a month.

It appeared that on 18 August, 2007 , the management began to remove some
expensive machines out of the premises. Seven days later, on Saturday 25
August at about 17.00 hours [after working hours] the management announced
that the factory will be closed from 27 to 31 August. This is because the
company suffers a loss resulting from a reduction of new orders from abroad
due to the strong baht currency.  Thus, the company has to temporarily close
the factory. The wages will be paid at 50 %
*This cannot be done according to the law.*

After this temporary closure, it appeared that the management moved quickly
to move out a number of machines day and night and transfer the machines to
their associated companies, Jewa and Jewa in north east Bangkok and in
Nakorn Rajasima.

It is assumed from what has happened that the company is about to abandon
the workers. Presumably, the company is not intending to compensate wages to
the workers from such cause.

Inter Moda Workers Union then organized a gathering in front of the factory.
We urged a representative from the Office of the Social Welfare and Labor
Protection, Patum Tanee province to assist in negotiations to solve the
problem.

The meeting was arranged to be on 27 August at office of Inter Moda at
9.00(and later at
10.00 hours as postponed by the company to the officials). We waited up to
15.00 hrs, but Mr. Wasan didn't come. Later, his attorney and 3 of the
management staff appeared to negotiate with the representatives of the
workers at the Patum Tanee office.

The meeting turned out that the company agreed to remove only the rest of
the finished products out for sales; this could be checked by the union.

The company agreed to allow the union and the officials to examine the
company assets on 29 August at 10.00 hrs. Regarding the demand for full
wages during 27 to 31 August, Mr Wasan would consider this point.

On 28 August at about 10.00 hours the union discovered disassembled parts of
the machines were hidden under the finished garment on trucks, and thus
stopped the trucks from exiting the factory.

On 29 August, Mr. Wasan had did not meet to negotiate despite having made an
appointment at Pathum Thani labour office. Several hours after the
appointment time, lawyers representing the company arrived instead.

On 30 August, we the Workers Union of Inter Moda organized a demonstration
in front of the Government House to let this be known by the public. We ask
responsibility from the government.

On 31 August the company announced the dismissal of 277 workers on the
grounds of obstructing the company from transporting goods out of the
factory. The company also announced that they would ask the labour court for
permission to dismiss the 12 union committee member of the same reason.
While waiting for the court verdict the company would pay on 50% of the
wage.

On September 3 at 23.00 the company put up an announcement laying off the
office staff on the grounds of factory closure.

It is clear from the

To abandon 363 workers affected their family members which 90% are of school
age. How could these nation futures are grown to be without parent support.

This is another example to show that the national crisis is not overcome as
stated on one of the reasons of the coup and the intention of this
government as propaganda.

We ask the Prime Minister to instruct Inter Moda to place 24 million baht at
the Office of the Social Welfare and Labor Protection, Patum Tanee province
as a compensation guarantee if the company insists to shutting down the
factory and terminating employment.

In case Inter Moda refuses to act, the government must approve to place that
payment instead.

We, Inter Moda Workers Union welcome support from your organization so that
we can continue this fight on. We especially welcome letters of support to
the workers and also protest letters to the company.

We thank you in advance for your support.

With solidarity
Anan Ngern krachang
Chairman.
Telephone No. 0899846839/ 0898840297
Inter Moda Workers Union located at
33/1 Moo 14
Klong 4,
Klong Luang,
Patum Tanee 12120
Thailand
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