State workers to strike

The State Enterprises Workers? Relations Confederation is calling for a nationwide, five-day work stoppage starting on Thursday to pressure the caretaker government to step down.

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State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation secretary-general Khomsant Thongsiri (centre) leads other state enterprise union leaders in vowing to pressure the caretaker government to resign. PATIPAT JANTHONG

Union bloc vows 5-day strike

Officials told to join PDRC bid to oust govt

Manop Thip-osod 
Amornrat Mahitthirook

The State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation is calling for a nationwide, five-day work stoppage starting on Thursday to pressure the caretaker government to step down, threatening ‘‘action of the highest degree’’ to achieve its aim.

However, the confederation has assured its operation will only target members of the caretaker cabinet and will spare the general public.

Khomsant Thongsiri, secretary-general of the confederation, revealed the plan after a meeting yesterday between representatives of state enterprise labour unions and anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee leader Suthep Thaugsuban at Government House. Forty-six state enterprise labour unions are members of the confederation.

The move is part of a plan to ‘’seize control of sovereign power’’ from the caretaker government by the PDRC and its anti-government allies, running until May 26 when the PDRC hopes to bring down the government.

Mr Suthep on Saturday vowed to surrender to face police charges and end his protest if he fails to win the last ‘’final battle’’ to oust the so-called Thaksin regime by next Monday.

People’s Democratic Reform Committee leader Suthep Thaugsuban chairs the meeting at Government House. PATIPAT JANTHONG

The PDRC has vowed to seek a new prime minister ‘’its own way’’ after the Senate failed to install an interim premier by the group’s deadline on Friday.

Outlining the confederation’s plan, Mr Khomsant said all state enterprise labour unions that belong to the confederation will be asked to issue statements rejecting the authority of the ‘’Thaksin regime and government officials who are servants of the regime’’.

State enterprise unions will be asked to put up signs rejecting the government’s authority and supporting efforts to install a people’s government.

State union members will be asked to stage acts of civil disobedience by flying national flags on their vehicles or carrying whistles. They will also be asked to pursue the remaining 25 caretaker cabinet ministers to force them to resign, Mr Khomsant said.

He said the state enterprise unions have the equipment to achieve their aim.

He called on the remaining caretaker ministers to resign, or all state unions will resort to ‘’action of the highest degree’’.

Mr Khomsant said the cabinet ministers and some government agencies will be targeted.

He did not said exactly what members will do, although in the past state unions have resorted to cutting off power, water supplies, and public utilities to government agencies or the houses of cabinet ministers.

Mr Khomsant added members of state unions will exercise their rights to take leave from work to attend ‘’union meetings’’ so they will not be subject to any disciplinary action or punishment stemming from shirking their duties.

He said this is the last chance for Thais to fight the Thaksin regime. If they lose this time, the country might as well be handed over to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Khomsant said.

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