Exporters worry as port workers strike

The strike called by the labour union of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) started yesterday amid concerns among exporters and importers, while the unions of other state enterprises insisted on further support for the anti-government protest.

Though a full-scale public service disruption did not take place yesterday as expected, the 43 state enterprises' union chiefs insisted that the plans are in the pipeline and the actions would be launched when ready.

"We're serious. This is not a threat, but we must do it thoroughly, not to disturb the public," said Amnart Palamee, deputy secretary-general of the State Enterprises Worker's Relations Confederation. He said the 43 state enterprises' unions are 50-per-cent ready to launch the action.

Phien Yongnoo, chief of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's union, maintained the threat to cut power at the interior and defence ministries, as they owe about Bt200 million to Bt300 million to the power agency. Under the MEA protocol, if the debt is more than one month overdue, the power supply could be cut off.

"We are waiting for advise from the MEA governor on the outstanding debt. Upon receiving the information, we're ready to take action," he said.

According to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand union chief Sirichai Maingarm, "If PM Samak resigns and apologises, this would be over, but if he dissolves Parliament, it's not over as he would take care of the government for another three months," Sirichai said.

The strike by the labour union of the PAT, which operates the busy Bangkok Port, has caused concern to exporters, as they fear that foreign trade partners could shift orders abroad and that their export targets could be affected. This would add to disturbances as the State Railway of Thailand has not yet resumed normal train services, particularly to the South.

Paiboon Ponsuwanna, chairman of the Food Processing Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries, is concerned that this could disrupt Thailand's plan to raise food export revenue from Bt620 billion last year to Bt700 billion this year.

"What is of concern to exporters now - though it has not happened yet - is foreign buyers could shift their orders to other countries due to fear that Thai producers will not deliver products as agreed. They may reduce their orders. Exporters should try to explain to them any possible delivery delay," said FTI chairman Santi Vilassakdanont

Udompong Anukulkankusol, export marketing director of SB Furniture, said that the port closing operations had created huge losses for not only business, but also economic growth as a whole. "The company relies on both Bangkok and Laem Chabang ports for exports daily. A strike of only one day will create losses for business. The government must seek ways to solve the problem as fast as possible. If it goes on for just a week it would create huge losses for the country as the export sector relies mainly on shipping operations," he said.

PAT union chief Somkiat Rodcharoen said all of its 3,600 members had gone on leave to press for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation. The Bangkok Port can handle up to 34 containers per hour.

PAT governor Sunida Sakulratana added that there are a number of employees who can take leave in September.

This affects transport as SRT has not yet resumed normal operations. Tawil Samnakorn, SRT deputy governor, who is also head of the committee tasked to solve the employee strike problem, said yesterday that the Northern and Northeastern route trains had resumed operation, while employees on the Southern train route have continued to take leave.

"We're in talks to solve the crisis with the employees in the South who took leave," Tawil said. Of 244 trains, 92 have yet to resume operation, which is costing the SRT Bt10 million per day.

CAT Telecom president Phisal Jorpochaudom said CAT would not cut international gateway signals, or else subscribers to foreign call and Internet services would be hit. The head of CAT's labour union, Somboon Sapsarn, said 40 per cent of CAT's 5,600 employees had taken leave but that it would not affect CAT services.