Thailand – Despite being on strike for almost one month, hundreds of workers lay siege to a Bangkok road for hours yesterday to demand wages from their company.

The workers rallied in front of the manufacturing arm of undergarment giant Triumph International, Body Fashion Thailand’s head office to force answers from their management regarding their wages during the strike period. About 2,000 factory employees stopped work on 30 July this year as a protest against the sacking of their labour union leader, Jitra Kotchadej.

They felt she was unfairly dismissed even though the Samut Prakan labour court had approved of the company’s request to sack Jitra on the grounds that her public act damaged the company's business and reputation. According to Bangkok Post, Kotchadej had worn a T-shirt bearing a slogan supporting the right not to stand when the royal anthem is played in cinemas during a television appearance.

Previous rounds of negotiations with the company’s management with the company agreeing to reinstate the labour union leader. However, answers regarding the workers’ demands for wages during their strike were unavailable.

The workers are currently receiving financial assistance from the labour union of Thai Airways International and a group of academics and activists. Somsak Manop, the deputy president of the airline’s labour union, told Bangkok Post, “The assistance was aimed at resisting any attempt at unfair treatment against employees.”