IndustriALL Global Union

11/18/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/18/2024 10:40

Union busting and layoffs at Swiss backed e bus manufacturer in Thailand

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18 November, 2024Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Switzerland supports investments into carbon neutrality in Thailand, and in return, Switzerland receives carbon credits. Absolute Assembly manufactures e-buses for a programme supported by Switzerland under the Agreement, which is clear that commitments made must be in line with achieving a Just Transition, which means decent jobs with fair working conditions. However, this is not the case at Absolute Assembly.

IndustriALL has repeatedly raised the issue of union busting both with the Swiss government and the Thai employer. Absolute Assembly has interfered in union affairs and refused to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with the union EMUT, affiliated with CILT/TEAM, in its turn affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union.

IndustriALL has urged the government to take action in accord with its stated commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement, and in agreement with the great importance Switzerland attaches to the "promotion, respect, and realization of the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and expects the private sector to respect human rights in Switzerland and abroad".

But unfortunately the situation continues to deteriorate. Absolute Assembly is now planning to lay off hundreds of workers at its e-bus manufacturing plant for Bangkok's public transport without engaging in dialogue with EMUT.

Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:

"We are deeply concerned and outraged by Absolute Assembly's plans to lay off hundreds of workers and again call for the immediate end to the violation of fundamental workers' rights. Workers, represented by their union, must be actively involved in discussions on any restructuring, and the company must guarantee the security of their job positions."

In addition to calling on Absolute Assembly to engage with the union, IndustriALL has reached out to both the Swiss and Thai governments to urge their intervention.

Photo: Bangkok traffic, Flickr