Employer, Labour reps want greater role in relief drive

Employer and labour groups say they want an equal chance to be involved in the government's flood rehabilitation committee.

The Labour Ministry was working on flood-relief measures for the manufacturing sector without input from employers and employees, said Anantachai Khunananthakul, president of the Employers' Confederation of Thailand (Ecot).

"The ministry has listened to only the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers' Association. We have been neglected," said Mr Anantachai.

He said both the Ecot and the Confederation of Thai Labour (CTL) agreed they should have representatives sitting on the government's panel.

The groups recently met Somkiat Chayasriwong, permanent secretary for labour, to discuss their proposals for flood rehabilitation measures.

Chalee Loysoong, chairman of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, said the government should pay more attention to controlling the prices of consumer products.

Workers making less than 15,000 baht a month should be given cash coupons to buy consumer products, he said.

CTL chairman Chinachot Saengsang said he was opposed to suspending monthly contributions into the Social Security Fund (SSF) as a way of easing financial burdens on companies and their employees.

Suspending payments would affect benefits which employees are entitled to receive from the SSF, such as their pensions.

Mr Somkiat said he agreed with calls to allow employers and labour representatives to sit on the panel.

He would send the proposal to Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap.

The ministry would also propose that the government provide financial aid to employers for three months, which should help avoid the need for layoffs.