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21 November, 2025Rubber Workers’ Union in Thailand (RWUT) in its annual meeting, 15-16 November, took a strong commitment to fight for labour rights and defend workers' welfare amidst technological transformation in the global tyre industry.
62 union delegates from 11 major rubber tyre companies such as in Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Maxxis, Yokohama, Dunlop, IRC, Linglong, Otani, Deestone, Zhongce and Canbon gathered for a two-day seminar culminated with an annual meeting of the Rubber Workers Union of Thailand (RWUT). The tyre unions gathering created a powerful platform for workers to collectively examine the rapid changes reshaping the tyre industry and to strategize on how unions can respond with strength and unity.
Union delegates engaged in deep discussions on the fast-evolving technological environment affecting Thailand’s rubber tyre sector—from automation and digital production systems to new forms of quality monitoring and supply-chain management.
Workers highlighted growing concerns over job security, deskilling and the pressure to constantly adapt to new technologies without adequate training or consultation. New work arrangements impacted workers and undermined their rights.
Rubber Workers Union of Thailand president Saman Pornprachatham said:
“We will not allow new technologies to diminish the value of workers but instead use them to build a better future.”
While Thailand has become an important source of rubber, we can use this as leverage to advance workers’ rights especially in the rubber industry supply chain from upstream and downstream, as we are expecting more technological advancement in the downstream industry such as in the production of vehicle tyres we must keep up with increasing our union density in the sector and be able to negotiate for secured jobs and improve working conditions, Saman emphasized.
Larey Youpensuk president of CILT highlighted:
“Unity is our true strength. No matter how big the companies are, when workers join hands, our voice will be loud enough to bring change.”
Ussawin Klintepkesorn president of Yokohama workers’ union shared:
“Yokohama workers face many adjustments, but we stand firm by creating fair practices and protecting our rights.”
IndustriALL South East Asia regional secretary, Ramon Certeza, highlighted:
“In an era of rapid change, building union strength in the tyre industry means organizing the unorganized, forging networks across multinational companies and winning agreements that ensure decent work. Only through unity and strategic organizing can workers secure their future.”