With reference to the industrial action taken by workers at Golden Prize Canning plant on the 25 February 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to provide further updates as follows:

 

         -  On the 26 February 2016, the governor of Samut Sakhon province together with relevant agencies negotiated a compromise whereby the employer would announce amount of compensations to the workers on 29 February 2016;

 

         - On the 29 February 2016, the governor of Samut Sakhon, relevant agencies, representatives of the employer and the workers (both from Thailand and Myanmar) had come together to start working towards mutually acceptable agreements. These were done in two separate parts: one for the Thai workers; and the other for the foreign nationals;

 

         -  For the Thai staffs, the employer agreed to pay compensation for overtimes  at the rate required by law by 4 March 2016. This is 34% higher than the rate that the employer calculated earlier. Furthermore, the employer will make a financial compensation in lieu of the 12 holidays that it failed to arrange for the workers in 2014 – 15. The level of this compensation will depend on the wage of each worker;     

 

         - For Myanmar workers, the employer agreed to pay compensation both for wages as well as for overtime payment at the rates required by law for the period 1 January 2014 – 20 July 2015. This is 34 % higher than the rate that the employer calculated earlier. The employees accepted this agreement and the employer has started paying from the date the agreement is reached;

 

         - The negotiation is concluded on 1 March 2016 and the situation has returned to normal; 

 

         - The peaceful and mutually acceptable unfolding of this dispute demonstrates tangible benefits of close collaboration under Pracharat or state of the people model between the state, the private sector and the people. The government is committed to use this approach in order to eliminate labour exploitation and to uplift the quality of life of workers in Thailand.