After the complaint was lodged 11 years ago, three former workers at Bangkok Textile died from the potentially fatal disease, known commonly as "brown lung".

The complainants have received basic compensation from authorities under the labour law but are still demanding damages from their employer.

The lower court and the Court of Appeals both ruled in favour of the complainants, but the company brought the case to the highest court, claiming that the complainants' civil right to the pay was invalid, because

the 10-year period of the statute of limitations had expired.

The Supreme Court makes its final rulings mainly on evidence already presented in previous trials, as well as legal disputes expressed by both parties.

But yesterday's session, held in the Central Labour Court-House, was ordered exclusively for this case, in order to hear additional evidence not yet clearly presented.

Both sides argued about the quality of protective masks in yesterday's session. Testimony revealed that the workers' union had wanted a better brand of mask priced at Bt50 to be used. However, the had company provided only a lower-quality type that cost Bt12 to all of its workers, including the 34 complainants and the three who died.

The judges yesterday

set next Monday and April

30 for the next hearings,

to rule on the dispute over

the legal expiration of the

10-year period and whether the company deliberately chose to ignore the facts involving the hazard of byssinosis.

A final ruling will be handed down on April 30.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation