Labour groups wish list

For Labour Day on May 1, Thai labour organisations have proposed nine articles to the government, Labour Protection and Welfare Department chief Amporn Nitisiri said yesterday.

The demands were:

1. Establishment of a risk insurance fund for employees.

2. Scrapping tax on compensation or income paid as part of job termination.

3. Amendment of article 118 of the Labour Protection Act 1998 so that an employer "shall pay salary compensation to a laidoff worker who has served for over 10 years with 10 months' salary, plus a month's salary for every year served beyond the first decade."

4. Social Security - government help was needed to: hike compensation paid to victims of work hazards, and to have child support compensation extended to children up to 15, instead of the current rule of up to six years. Amendment of article 39 of the Social Security Act 1990 to help those who had quit their jobs or owned businesses, so they would continue to pay social security for themselves and on behalf of an employer in order to enjoy the social security package.

5. Cancellation of the State Enterprise Funding Act 2008 and the selling of all state enterprises.

6. Government ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions No 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise) and No 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).

7. Government implementation of the occupational safety, health and environment act.

8. Governmentprovided nurseries in business establishments and tax incentives to employers.

9. A working team to follow up labourers' demands on Labour Day 2010.

A working team to follow up labourers' demands on Labour Day 2010.

The annual procession from Royal Plaza to Sanam Luang to mark the holiday would be held on May 1.