At least 1,500 workers left in limbo after factory closes

A fruit company in southern Thailand has given at least 1,500 workers the choice of moving to factories in other provinces or losing their jobs.   

Suchat Phrommit and Somchok Sakkana, technicians employed at a factory of the Dole Company (Thailand), a fruit producer, in Tha Sae District of the southern province of Chumphon, on Monday, 25 July 2016, asked for assistance from government agencies, Manager Online reported.

The two reported that they and about 200 other workers turned up at the factory on Monday morning only to discover that the factory was closed, with many police officers, soldiers and security guards deployed in front of its closed gates.

They were then informed by company staff that the factory is now permanently closed because the company is moving production to other factories in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Rayong provinces.

The company later told them that although the Chumphon factory is closed, the company’s employees are still hired, but they have to choose between moving to the factories in the two other provinces or resigning.

Suchat said that many of the workers felt that they had been treated unfairly by the company because their employer did not notify them earlier about the factory’s closure.

He added that more than 1,300 Thai workers and about 200 migrant workers employed at the Chumphon factory feel their jobs are insecure.  

According to staff of the Chumphon Labour Protection and Welfare Office, the governor of the province has already been informed about the issue and the authorities will investigate the matter.

Chatpawee Jirawatanaphalin, Human Resource Manager of Dole Company (Thailand), confirmed that the company will no longer maintain its production base in Chumphon. However, the company would take care of its employees in accordance with Thailand’s Labour Law.

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”