Auto-parts maker's workers in strike over bonus

 Suchat Kasemsant, a worker of Yanaphan Co Ltd, said in November, the company cut the overtime payment and workers were recently informed that they would receive Bt5,000 each as New Year token but not the annual bonus.

 In launching a strike midnight of Thursday and road blockade, the workers had 6 demands: the labour union must be set up, the company must pay 4-month bonus; subcontract workers with over 1 year of experience must become employees; all employees are entitled a Bt500 payrise; employees must not face lawsuits for this action; and three executives must be replaced.

 It was reported that the employer agreed to pay the bonus of 1.5 months of salary, but the workers insisted they wanted a 3-month payment for all regardless of the years of employment. The bonus is being renegotiated.