Tang Hua Seng staff protest for 15 months of unpaid salaries (video)

A significant group of employees from the Tang Hua Seng department store in Thonburi, Bangkok, gathered to demand overdue salaries, some of which have been delayed for up to 15 months, following a sudden closure announcement.

Over 50 current and former employees of Tang Hua Seng department store assembled yesterday outside the Thonburi branch, holding signs to demand justice from the store’s management.

The employees are left in a precarious situation, with the store scheduled to close today, and many of them have not received salaries for up to 15 months. This abrupt closure was announced only four days ago, leaving employees scrambling to secure their livelihoods.

Last Friday, Tang Hua Seng’s representatives informed the employees about the impending closure due to the electricity being cut off by the electricity authority.

Employees were told that the store would cease operations, but no further explanations or solutions were provided. Some workers have even been compensated with food coupons and supermarket vouchers instead of actual salaries.

Tiang Saekow, an employee representative, expressed the difficulties faced by the workers due to the unconventional compensation method. He highlighted that these food coupons do not help pay mortgages or school fees and cause significant distress among the staff.

List of demands

The employees are now calling for immediate action and have submitted a 10-point list of demands to the management. These demands include the full payment of overdue salaries by the end of this month, severance pay, and compensation for the lack of prior notice.

The employees also request that the company continue its social security contributions up to the present month to ensure they can claim unemployment and other benefits.

The list of demands also insists that any proceeds from the sale of the company’s assets be used to settle the debts owed to employees first, with a detailed breakdown provided to the workers’ representatives. Additionally, the employees demand that any work done after the announcement be compensated in cash on a day-to-day basis and that the company provides clear communication regarding all matters.

“We need clarity on all issues, and any asset sales should prioritise our unpaid salaries.”

In response, Tang Hua Seng’s management, including the HR director, invited the involved parties, including employee representatives, affected business owners, and local police, to a meeting. This discussion, held at the store’s eighth-floor office, aimed to address the employees’ concerns, though no recordings or photographs were permitted during the meeting.

The employees have also called upon relevant government bodies, such as the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Ministry of Labour, to intervene and assist in resolving the crisis. They argue that without proper intervention, many will face severe financial difficulties, reported KhaoSod.