Ministry sets up 9th NagaWorld dispute meeting
THE Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has rescheduled a meeting to try to resolve the labour disputes between NagaWorld and some of its former employees for May 4. This will be the ninth such meeting.
An announcement about the current state of negotiations said the ministry had invited both parties to an April 22 meeting, but that representatives of the workers and the integrated resort could not agree on any point.
“Therefore, the ministry has set the date for the next meeting as Wednesday, May 4, so that both parties have the opportunity to reconsider the possibility of mutual concessions that could lead to the end of this dispute,” the notice added.
According to the union and the workers’ representatives, they are still asking the company for the reinstatement of 200 workers who were laid off.
“The company should accept all 200 workers, giving workers 50 per cent of their shifts in the first month, 70 per cent in the second, and so on, until full employment has been regained,” said the union.
Through the ministry, unions are seeking to have charges dropped against all NagaWorld workers’ representatives, a reopening of union offices, and have also requested the return of phones, computers and other equipment for work communication. In addition, they have implored the company to provide fair options to the workers.
NagaWorld’s position remains the same. The company’s representatives remain adamant that they will not accept the 200 workers who have been laid off.
“Obviously, the company has already stated that at the present, even if there are 500 employees who continue to be absent from the workplace, it will not affect the company’s business operations,” its representative said.
NagaWorld pointed out that the employees who are working are not yet fully employed.
The labour ministry said despite ongoing discussions, the two sides have not yet reached an agreement.
Khun Tharo, programme manager for the Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL), has said that labour disputes require the good will of – and mutual concessions from – both parties for a dispute to be resolved. However, in this case it appears that serious intervention may be required, as both sides remain firmly in their respective positions.
The ministry also stated that although there is no agreement yet, the ministry will continue to work to coordinate and set meetings in accordance with the role as has been set by law, as well as the demands of the parties.
The ministry renewed its call for the two sides to display a high level of understanding in resolving this labour dispute by continuing to work closely with the authorities and relevant parties peacefully, to maintain security and public order.
Citing legal procedures, the ministry said that if the labour dispute cannot be resolved by conciliation, the next step will be to refer the case to court to determine a final solution.