Since 24 July 2024, a wave of discontent has surged along Sukhumvit Road, right in front of the Thaioil refinery nestled in the bustling Si Racha District of Chonburi Province. The heart of the discontent? A legion of workers, echoing their unresolved grievances due to non-payment by contractors. What started as a protest by employees of One Turn Ten Company Limited (“One Turn Ten”), EMCO LTD (Thailand) Company Limited (“EMCO”), and Thai Fong Engineering and Construction Company Limited (“Thai Fong”)—subcontractors of Sinopec Engineering Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec”)—soon saw a growing tide. The brigade expanded with more workers from Himmawan Engineering 2009 Co., Ltd. (“Himmawan”), Siwakrit Construction & Engineering Company Limited (“Siwakrit”), KUN Supply Construction Limited Partnership (“KUN”), and C.Y. Group Limited Partnership (“CY”). They, too, marched against the silence of their employers Siwakrit, KUN, CY—all subcontractors under SCI Siam Corea Industrial Company Limited (“SCI”).
Now, here’s where the corporate tangle tightens. Sinopec, STP, and SCI serve as subcontractors to the powerhouse combo—known formally as the Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV)—comprising Samsung E&A (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (formerly Samsung Engineering (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) (“Samsung”), Petrofac South East Asia Pte. Ltd. (“Petrofac”), and Saipem Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“Saipem”). The trio, Samsung, Petrofac, and Saipem are at the helm, steering the massive Clean Fuel Project (CFP) for none other than Thai Oil Public Company Limited (“Thaioil”).
Thaioil, ever the conscientious corporate citizen, stands its ground with transparency and good governance. According to Thaioil, they’ve met their obligations, handsomely paying the UJV—Samsung, Petrofac, and Saipem—in line with the EPC contract stipulations. Yet, therein lies the pickle: while funds flow smoothly from Thaioil, the UJV hasn’t extended this fiscal goodwill to its subcontractors. Consequently, Sinopec, STP, and SCI find themselves unable to remunerate their own subcontractors like One Turn Ten, EMCO, Thai Fong, Himmawan, Siwakrit, KUN, and CY, causing a domino effect of unpaid workers and rising frustrations.
Amid the rising temperatures, Thaioil diligently continues to honor its commitment to all stakeholders. Acknowledging the plight of the affected workers, Thaioil has undertaken to foster constructive dialogues. They’ve roped in the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, alongside various government bodies and the stubborn employers. Yet, despite their best efforts, a consensus still teeters on the brink as UJV—Samsung, Petrofac, and Saipem—retain their resistance, declining to ink any definitive agreement with Sinopec, STP, and SCI, thus prolonging the uncertainty festering among the workers.
Over the past two weeks, Thaioil’s endeavors have included several roundtable negotiations, uniting the disparate factions involved. They’ve rallied the representatives from the workforce, the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, and those enigmatic entities: Sinopec, STP, SCI, and the UJV—Samsung, Petrofac, and Saipem. Yet despite these marathon meetings aimed at normalizing work conditions, the stalemate persists.
In a rather exasperated yet hopeful tone, Thaioil has repeatedly nudged the primary players—UJV comprising Samsung, Petrofac, and Saipem, alongside Sinopec, STP, and SCI—to assume their rightful responsibilities. The call to action is clear: step up, honor dues, and alleviate the burgeoning tensions among the workforce. The fervent hope is for these corporate giants to recognize their roles in this gridlock and expedite the payments, enabling the workers to resume their duties with the dignity and financial security they deserve.
As the days turn into weeks, the saga along Sukhumvit Road stands as a stark reminder of the complexities imbued in large-scale industrial endeavors. While the gears of commerce turn slowly, the workers remain resolute, their voices united in demand for a fair resolution. The unfolding weeks will determine whether their calls for justice will be met with swift action or further corporate limbo.
I feel terrible for these workers. It’s unacceptable that they haven’t been paid for their hard work.
Totally agree, Alex. It’s a basic right to get paid for your labor. Thaioil should step in more aggressively!
Thaioil seems like they’re trying, but UJV is where the real problem is.
True, Joey77. Thaioil has paid UJV, but nothing is trickling down. UJV needs to take this more seriously!
I bet this is just the tip of the iceberg. Who knows how many other projects are this messed up?
You’re not wrong. Lack of oversight in these huge projects always leads to workers getting the short end of the stick.
It’s all about corporate greed. They save money by delaying payments.
The system is broken. We need stricter regulations and better enforcement.
More government intervention is necessary. Workers shouldn’t have to protest to get what they’re owed.
Government intervention is great in theory, but do you really trust them to handle it properly?
I get your point, Mike. But without some oversight, companies will always exploit workers.
Protests are important to highlight these issues. More people need to speak out!
Speaking out is one thing, but what about actual resolutions? Action needs to follow these protests.
Exactly, Frankie! Protests should be a starting point, not the end goal.
Why isn’t Thaioil holding UJV accountable? It’s their project after all.
The corporate hierarchy here is ridiculous. Too many chiefs, not enough accountability.
I work in construction, and this kind of delay in payments is sadly common. It’s beyond frustrating.
These workers should sue. They deserve their pay and some extra for the trouble.
Good idea, Faith. But legal battles can take years and cost a lot of money.
True, Julian. But they need to start somewhere, right?
I think Thaioil is just using these negotiations to buy time. They should take immediate action themselves.
I can’t believe these big corporations are being so heartless. Pay the workers already!
The whole situation is so sad. Workers should never have to beg for their own pay.
Agreed, Holly. Workers are the backbone of any project.
Where are the labor unions in all this? Their voices should be louder!
Right? Unions should be at the forefront of this fight!
This kind of treatment isn’t new in the industry. Workers always get neglected.
Companies like UJV should be penalized heavily for treating workers this way.
If Thaioil claims to be fair, they need to push harder on UJV.
Exactly. Thaioil can’t just wash their hands of this mess.
Glad you agree, Aisha. Corporate responsibility doesn’t end with writing checks.
It’s simple. Pay the workers. No excuses.
I hope this protest brings real change and accountability.
I wonder how the public can support these workers more. Any ideas?