Nikon workers demand improved benefits

AYUTTHAYA : Thousands of workers from the camera maker Nikon (Thailand) Co are staging a rally to demand improved benefits from the company's management.

Thongchai Sitthidet, chairman of the Nikon labour union, said the workers went out on strike for a second day yesterday because the company was exploiting its staff.

He said management suspended nine labour union board members on Wednesday after they encouraged fellow workers to demand better benefits from the company.

The suspension of the union leaders upset the staff and so they decided to stage the rally against management, Mr Thongchai said.

Mr Thongchai also heard the company planned to sue the nine labour union leaders, himself included, for inciting the workers to join the rally and would demand 126 million baht in compensation from them.

He said about 8,000 workers on the production line would stop work until management responded to their demands, which included wage increases from 50 to 80 baht a shift and a hike in their living cost payments from 1,000 baht a month to 1,300 baht.

Representatives from the Labour Ministry have offered to mediate between the workers and company management.

Mr Thongchai said if Nikon management did not respond to the workers' demands or government agencies did not help them, the union would intensify its efforts by joining the red shirt rally led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

A key member of the UDD has reportedly contacted Nikon union leaders to express his support and invite Nikon workers to join the red shirt rally.

Nikon (Thailand) is the Japan-based Nikon Corporation's largest manufacturing facility.