Press Statement of Body Fashion Thailand (BFT)

August 8, 2008

 

Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) is experiencing an illegal strike at its factory in Bangplee. The strike is apparently an effort to force the company to reinstate a former employee whose employment has been terminated legally.

 

The person in question was an employee representative in the company’s registered employee committee. According to Thai labor law, the company may only take disciplinary action against her with express permission of the Thai Labor Court. In its written decision, the Court found that BFT had suffered damage to its reputation and its business resulting from the employee’s public behavior, which had linked Triumph to her personal political beliefs. The court further directed that the company had the right to terminate the employee to protect itself from further damage.

 

The company’s action was in no way directed at the workers’ union. BFT and Triumph International fully respect the right of its workers to organize and to bargain collectively and the individual right to freedom of expression. BFT remains open to negotiation with the strike organizers and met with the organizing committee and Labor Ministry officials. The company will also participate in a negotiation session arranged by the Ministry of Labor.

 

The company will welcome back all employees who return to work and will refrain from any disciplinary action against them.

 

 

Body Fashion Thailand was established in 1975 and today employs over 5,000 people.

 

Triumph International is one of the world’s largest underwear manufacturers. The company enjoys a presence in over 120 countries with its core brands Triumph®, sloggi®, Valisère® and HOM®.  Triumph employs more than 43,000 people and achieves a turnover of CHF 2.5 billion (2007).

 

www.triumph.com

 

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