Criminal Charges Filed After 300 Workers Unpaid for Three Months

BANGKOK – Three hundred factory workers are seeking criminal charges against the management of an export company.  Workers said they hadn’t been paid for three months, a combined total of Bt100 million.

Police record the workers individual complaints while Immigration Police, provincial labor officials and other agencies provided assistance.

Lawyer Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, representing the factory workers, accused Vita Food Factory (1989) Ltd, of unfair treatment in withholding wages. Vita Food Factory (1989) Ltd has registered capital of Bt400 million and several subsidiaries,

Atchariya said the workers had been unsuccessful in multiple complaints so they are asking for criminal charges be brought against Vita’s executives. Charges under the Human Trafficking Suppression and Prevention Act.

As of publication time on Thursday, police had been unable to contact any factory executives in a bid to arrange negotiations with the workers.

Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541

Any employer who violates or fails to comply with the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 must be punished according to the level of his/her offence; from a fine of not exceed 5,000 baht to a fine of not exceed 200,000 baht; or a imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or both.

Temporary Suspension for Business

In case for an employer temporarily suspends his/her own business, in part or in whole, without a cause of uncontrollable force; the employer must inform a worker and a labor inspector in advance before the suspension of business. Also, the employer must pay money of not less than 50 per cent of the working day wages received by the employee; before the suspension of business throughout the period which the employer does not ask the employee to work.

Source: The Nation