Workers want their jobs guaranteed

Workers from Toshiba Storage Device (Thailand), previously known as Fujitsu Group, were rallying out of concern that the upcoming merger with Western Digital might affect their jobs.

Apirom Paethaisong, who heads the Fujitsu Group (Thailand) labour union, explained that the workers were concerned because representatives of Western Digital had warned them that they might lose their jobs because they had taken up temporary employment during the more than five months when they had no work.

"Although the employees were paid their salaries for that period, this was not enough for daily expenses because the workers usually relied on overtime wages," Apirom said, explaining why some workers needed to take up temporary jobs in other companies.

"We hope to get a written promise that the workers will not lose their jobs and that their benefits will not be reduced," he said.

Arthit Ismo, directorgeneral of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, said companies had always insisted that they would not lay off workers following a merger.

"The merger should not affect their welfare either," he said.

According to Arthit, workers should not lose their regular jobs just because they had picked up temporary employment, provided they had done this via the "Friends Help Friends" project, which was created to help floodaffected workers.

"The project still has more than 80,000 vacancies in 44 provinces," Arthit said, as he warned workers against staging a rally to pressure employers. "They should try negotiating, because rallying will only worry employers and investors, and that will not be good for workers' prospect."