The MRTU represents workers in Siemens Mobility Company Thailand, and has the backing of the workers’ union at Siemens in Germany.

Suporn Larsuprom is a track worker at Siemens Mobility Company Thailand, and is the president of the MRTU: “We realise that forming a workers’ union is not easy, but we will all try our best because we know it’s the right thing to do for everyone who works in the company. It is our right to do this, we won’t give up and with the backing of the ITF and IG Metall we will succeed.”

In a letter to the MRTU, representatives on the Siemens supervisory board and the German metalworkers’ union IG Metall, said: ‘We support the introduction of union representation at the Siemens facilities in Thailand and will do our best to protect the union against any anti-union interference from the company’s side.’

ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton welcomed the launch of the MRTU: “Everyone has a right to a good job so they can support their loved ones. That’s what these working people can now fight for through their union. Congratulations to them for forming the MRTU and welcome to the ITF family - we will be there to provide support and solidarity. 

“Also, we all have a right to cleaner, safer cities, and public transport is a big part of this. It’s great that so many cities in the Asia-Pacific region are investing in metro systems. But the new jobs created must allow people to support their families and have a good life. The best way to ensure this is for workers to organise unions to win and defend their rights.”