Govt asked to ratify ILO conventions

About 1,000 workers on Wednesday rallied in front of Government House, calling for the government to ratify two conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

They marched from in front of the United Nations building to Government House, completely blocking traffic on Phitsanuklok road between Chamaimaruchet bridge and Misakawan intersection.

The workers were from several labour organisations including the State Enterprise Labour Relations Confederation and Labour Council of Thailand.

They called for the government to ratify ILO conventions Nos 87 and 98 which guarantee workers the right to join forces to submit demands to employers. They planned to submit a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart in the afternoon.

Chalee Loysoong, a rally coordinator, said the government's failure to ratify the two conventions has barred workers from forming an organisation and limited their negotiating power.