Thailand

Background to the Thai coup

This is an unpublished review I wrote in 2002, with some background to the Thai coup.

Thailand has developed into a modern independent capitalist country, where capitalist relations of production dominate both the cities and the countryside, and where the class struggle is played out between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Fifty-six per cent of assets of the 100 largest companies are Thai owned; domestic commerce and industry are dominated by 300 conglomerates; and the CP group have emerged as the first Thai multinational. Of decisive significance is the social weight of the working class. In 1996 out of a total population of 58 million, 13 million were workers (41%) and 13.8 million were peasants – it will not be long before workers are the majority class in the country.

International round-up

Unions at Wal-Mart!

After years of dogged attempts to organise unions in Wal-Mart, workers in Canada are starting to make some gains at this, the world’s largest retailer.

In August, the Quebec Labour Relations Board certified a union at the Wal-Mart store in Jonquière, Quebec after more than half of its 145 workers signed cards to become members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). A mandatory contract will soon have to be agreed — and that would create the first union branch at Wal-Mart anywhere in North America.