Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 323, November 2000

Case No 1581 (Thailand) - Complaint date: 14-MAY-91 - Closed

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 87. The Committee last examined this case at its March 2000 meeting when it had noted with interest that that the State Enterprise Labour Relations Bill had been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on 16 February 2000 and was awaiting the King's assent. The Committee had trusted that this new legislation would fully restore the right to organize and to bargain collectively to state enterprise employees and had requested the Government to transmit a copy of the SELRA which had been adopted by Parliament. It had further requested the Government to keep it informed of developments concerning the necessary accompanying amendment to the Labour Relations Act [see 320th Report, paras. 82-85].
2. 88. In communications dated 22 May and 23 August 2000, the Government indicates that, on 23 March 2000, the King gave royal assent to and signed the SELRA which entered into force on 8 April 2000. The Government further states that this new legislation, which provides for the right of state enterprise employees to form a labour union and to bargain collectively, will be transmitted to the Office as soon as translation thereof is completed.
3. 89. As regards the required accompanying amendment to the Labour Relations Act which applies to the private sector, the Government points out that, on 1 December 1999, the Cabinet approved the draft amendment to this Act proposed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) and forwarded it to the Office of the Council of State for scrutiny. If the State Council approves the said draft amendment, it will be resubmitted to the Cabinet before being sent to Parliament for consideration. Finally, the Government indicates that the key issues to be amended in the Labour Relations Act include the following: encouraging the establishment as well as strength and legitimacy of employer and employee organizations; strengthening bipartism by urging employers and employees to take part in joint consultation and cooperation so as to prevent and resolve labour disputes; encouraging employers and employees to use voluntary arbitration; and expanding the role of organizations of employers and employees in the settlement of labour disputes.
4. 90. The Committee takes due note of this information. It once again trusts that the SELRA restores fully the right to organize and to bargain collectively to state enterprise employees and looks forward to receiving a copy of this Act as soon as translation thereof is completed. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of developments concerning the accompanying amendment to the Labour Relations Act.