Public Services International has welcomed the news that a new law is in the works that will allow civil servants, ministry officials, department officials and provincial officials to unionise in Thailand. Public Services International has for many years advocated for recognition of trade union rights for civil servants in Thailand, and welcomes this historic announcement.
The draft royal decree will be submitted to the Cabinet for endorsement before it is enacted. The proposed legislation allows for four types of unions for civil servants, ministry officials, department officials and provincial officials.
According to news reports, when the prime minister was asked if he was worried such unions would boost permanent officials' bargaining power against ruling politicians, he responded: "It is their right." When asked to comment on the possibility of civil servants pressuring their politician bosses, the premier said it would be dealt on a case-by-case basis. "But at this stage, the OCSC has to guarantee the bureaucrats' Constitutional rights and liberty," he added.
The Constitution's Article 64 states: "A person shall enjoy the liberty to unite and form an association, a union, a league, a cooperative, a farmers' group, a private organisation, a private development organisation or any other group. Government and state officials shall have the liberty to assemble like other people provided their assembly does not affect the efficiency of public administration and the continuity of the provision of public services, as provided by law."
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