July 2006, Publicis Thailand Drops Suit Against TLC Coordinator!

June 22, 2006 Publicis Thailand Drops Suit Against TLC Coordinator!

The CCC is pleased to report that Publicis Thailand, the Thai subsidiary of French-based global public relations giant Publicis Groupe has withdrawn its libel lawsuit against Junya Lek Yimprasert, coordinator of the Thai Labour Campaign (TLC).

Junya Lek Yimprasert
Yimprasert had been charged with "defamation by propagation" after the TLC website republished a CSR Asia Weekly article about an unfair dismissal case filed by Publicis Thailand employees. Following an international campaign calling upon Publicis to unconditionally drop their suit against Yimprasert, on June 20th Publicis lawyers withdrew the suit from Bangkok's Southern Criminal Court.

Reflecting upon her experience with this case, Yimprasert noted "It is frustrating that we, who are directly in contact with workers that produce for the world and witness many rights violations, cannot bring the situation to the attention of the world without the risk of being sued. Furthermore, workers who report to us, of course, must face all kinds of pressures and risk being dismissed."

"I think that solidarity action has worked again in this case," said Yimprasert. "To every supporter that helped us this time: I would encourage you to continue your solidarity in any of the future campaigns led by LabourStart, Clean Clothes Campaign and Reseau-Solidarite. Your 'click' is really making a difference in the producing world. I think that my case has been further proof of that."