Thai workers are locking horns with civil servants about proposed increases to the retirement age.
The latest scuffle in this ongoing battle came during a labor forum that took place this Tuesday, during which representatives from the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute proposed increasing the Thai retirement age from 55 to 60.
Workers, many of whom came from a Thai Panasonic factory, voiced their strenuous opposition to this plan.
In a statement to the Bangkok Post, Thai Labour Solidarity Committee vice-chairman Wilaiwan sae Tia said that an increase to the retirement age would be unfair to workers who were already paying into pension funds, expecting to retire at 55.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Social Security Office, playing the voice of reason, have pointed out that it is for private employers and employees to decide on a retirement age, not the government.
