Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he did not believe Transport Minister Sophon Saram would demand the PM be held responsible if he reinstated State Railway of Thailand workers who had been sacked for instigating the strike.
At a meeting with SRT labour union leaders, SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen and Sophon, Abhisit said he would heed calls to provide safety for staff operating trains in the deep South and their call to have the sacked workers reinstated.
Abhisit said he had promised the union he would look into the sacking orders to see if they were reasonable, and would provide the workers an opportunity to appeal.
Asked if he felt pressured by Sophon saying the PM should take responsibility if he reinstates the workers, Abhisit said he did not believe the minister would have said that.
The PM said he had also reached an understanding with the SRT labour union that the agency should allow reform so the operation can be streamlined and made more efficient. He added the reform would not be carried out in favour of any interest group.
The PM demanded the SRT executives come up with a safety plan for the staff and that the union not stage any more strikes. Both sides agreed to Abhisit's conditions.
The PM also said that the government was willing inject funds into the agency in order to improve the service in terms of constructing new train tracks and buying or fixing train locomotives as well as improving the management.