The Thai seamstress Jitra Kotchadej worked stitching bras and knickers until 30 July. Then Triumph International, a German company whose brands include Sloggi, Valis(r)re and HOM, sacked her for exercising her right to freedom of speech.

A dispute over freedom of speech brings a Thai underwear factory to a halt

David Fullbrook
New Statesman
21 August 2008

The Thai seamstress Jitra Kotchadej worked stitching bras and knickers until 30 July. Then Triumph International, a German company whose brands include Sloggi, Valis(r)re and HOM, sacked her for exercising her right to freedom of speech.

Kotchadej, 36, appeared on the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand television channel in April to discuss problems that working women with unwanted pregnancies face. She was not representing Triumph, and did not refer to the slogan on her T-shirt: "Those who do not stand are not criminals. Thinking differently is not a crime."

The T-shirt is popular with people expressing solidarity with Chotisak Onsoong, a Thai citizen fighting charges of (r)se-majest(c), a serious charge in a country whose laws in this regard are among the harshest in the world. In recent years, they have often been used to attack people attempting to further the cause of democracy.

Onsoong was charged, then beaten up, because he stayed seated at the cinema though everybody customarily stands to the royal anthem and images of the king before the beginning of a film.

An article about Kotchadej in the Manager newspaper drew a comment on its website threatening a boycott of Triumph underwear in Thailand. But another post listed her address and telephone number.

The Manager's publisher, Sondhi Limthongkul, has been self-appointed media guardian of the royal family since 2004. He often targets politicians and activists he dislikes, such as Onsoong, with charges of (r)se-majest(c) and republicanism.

By May, the matter was fading from view. But then, in July, more than 3,000 seamstresses of the Triumph International Labour Union, led by Kotchadej, stopped work over conditions and wages after collective bargaining failed. Triumph and its Thai affiliate Body Fashion returned with a better offer, which got the sewing machines humming again.

Kotchadej's managers filed a case for dismissal with the labour court, accusing her of damaging the company's reputation, even though she wore the T-shirt outside working hours as a private citizen and trade union leader. Notices of hearings were sent to her old address, so she was not in court to defend herself.

The court ruled in Triumph's favour and Kotchadej was dismissed.

Triumph, in a statement from Munich, insists that the sacking is legal because it was approved by the labour court.

The company's code of conduct explicitly recognises the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 18 and 19 of which detail rights to freedom of thought and speech. Triumph's working practices, however, are controversial. It pulled out of Burma in 2002 after years spent resisting a global campaign against its presence there.

In Thailand, since the beginning of the month, the sewing machines have been idle. Triumph refuses to reinstate Kotchadej, but promises not to punish workers for what is technically an illegal strike.

The union, one of the strongest in Thailand, is holding out until Kotchadej returns to work.

Seamstresses picketing the factory gates are resolute, says Junya Yimprasert of the Thai Labour Campaign. "They don't accept the company claim that this is nothing to do with union-busting," says Junya. "The union members understand they must protect their leader to protect themselves."

http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2008/08/triumph-thailand-kotchadej