Press Release: Ranong Provincial Court using injunction in case filed by 39 migrant workers to annul corrupt legal transaction between their former employer and family members

1662395391574

5 September 2022

Press Release

Ranong Provincial Court using injunction in case filed by 39 migrant workers to annul corrupt legal transaction between their former employer and family members

Pursuant to the case of 39 migrant workers from Myanmar, formerly employed by the Wandi Tuna Part Ltd in Ranong and their case against their employer, Mrs. Monrudi Sonsai to have her pay them the special severance pay in lieu of advance notice and severance pay to them, on 13 December 2021, Ms. Monrudi has agreed to settle the case with the 39 employees in the Black Case no. R780/2564, Red Case no. R648/2564 of the Labour Court Region 8 (for more information, please see  http://hrdfoundation.org/?p=2687&lang=en .The employer has, however, failed to pay off the debt pursuant to the settlement agreement. Therefore, she is now obliged to pay her employees altogether 2,516,671 baht plus the late interest at 5% per annum until all the debt is paid off.

 

The 39 employees have also filed the case against their former employer for a breach of employment agreement with the Labour Court Region 8 since they have uncovered how their employer who had amassed property including several land titles has already transferred all the land ownerships to other individuals. For one particular piece of land in Ranong, it was found that Mrs. Monrudi Sonsai, the employer, has transferred the ownership illegally to Mr. Kingsak Ketphon, her son in law, who has close relationships with the employer. Mr. Kingsak Ketphon knows full well Ms. Monrudi Sonsai is obliged to pay to the 39 employees. Such act constitutes a corrupt transaction causing a disadvantage to the employees who might not receive the payment pursuant to the verdict of the Labour Court Region 8. Therefore, the 39 migrant workers have decided to sue Mrs. Monrudi Sonsai as defendant no. 1 and Mr. Kingsak Ketphon as defendant no. 2 with the Ranong Provincial Court in the Black Case no. P131/2565 asking the court to annual the corrupt transactions and to issue an injunction before delivering the verdict.

 

On 29 August 2022, the Ranong Provincial Court conducted a hearing to fix witness examination dates, and a preliminary hearing including the request for injunction. The court has then decided to issue an injunction and instructed the land officer of the Ranong Provincial Land Office to suspend the registration or the alteration of the land register in the case pending its ruling.

 

For more information: 

Mr. Kritsada Sunyadee, attorney, Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF)

Phone: 099 419 4699 E-mail: [email protected]