14th October 1999, Some demands won, because of international protest


The Austrian Clean Clothes Campaign has received the information that the Urgent action in case of the German leather-manufacturer Splendid in Thailand has had some positive result:

* Splendid accepted to pay 80% of the compensation for the dismissed workers
* The law-suit against the union-leaders was dropped.
Nevertheless, it seems as if the factory in Thailand has been closed down and production removed (maybe to China, as the German owner of the Thai factory mentioned in a telephone call some months ago).

We received the following letter from Somyot Pruksakasemsuk (Center for Labour Information Service and Training Center), Thailand, who has initiated the international campaign together with the Thai Jacket Labour Union:

"Dear friends,
thank you for your supports. After a lot of international solidarity support the company came up to accept to pay for compensation about 80% of the total legitimate right of Splendid workers should received. At the beginning the company tried to avoid legal responsibility by plan dirty trick not paying compensation. This is the direct result from all of our friends who pay a lot of support for Thai workers. The law-suit against the union-leaders has been dropped. The Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation and the Thai Jacket Labour Union had declared to workers who were dismissed without compensation that with helfing from international solidarity they are able to achieved justice. Even though they were not achieved 100% but this is better than nothing. On behalf of Thai workers we would like to express our sincere thanks to all of your effort to support Thai workers struggle.

Somyot Pruksakasemsuk"