Rangsit and Area Labour Union
(RLUG)
Thailand
For over 40 years, the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG) has been a powerful collective voice for workers in Thailand’s industrial heartland. Based just north of Bangkok, RLUG faces complex challenges: mandatory retirement at 55 threatening union leadership, restrictions on workers’ rights to organise, and the urgent need to support migrant workers facing exploitation and isolation.
In 2018, RLUG and UnionAID began a strategic partnership to address these challenges. Despite Thailand’s lack of ratification of key ILO conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining, and legal restrictions on industrial action, RLUG has consistently found innovative ways to build worker power and improve lives.
The partnership has achieved significant breakthroughs:
- Developing young leaders, particularly women, to lead unions into the future
- Creating inclusive unions that welcome migrant workers from Myanmar and Cambodia
- Providing crucial support to migrant workers through crisis
- Building a Labour Network for Human Rights
- Running successful education programmes that strengthen workplace organising
- Supporting pro-democracy movements
Beyond workplace issues, RLUG tackles broader community challenges including drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, debt, and family breakdown. Their holistic approach to worker organising combines workplace rights with social justice and democracy.
Current Projects
Strengthening the Bangkok Platform Riders Union (2025-26)
In partnership with the Rangsit Labour Union Group (RLUG), UnionAID is supporting a vital project to build collective
Past Projects
Breaking language barriers: Supporting Burmese workers in Thailand (2023-2024)
RLUG developed innovative approaches to support Burmese migrant workers facing recruitment agency restrictions and workplace barriers. Key achievements The project
New frontiers in organising: RLUG expands worker power (2023-2024)
RLUG broke new ground by organising previously excluded workers while strengthening existing structures. Key achievements Significant progress included: Growing to
Building tomorrow’s unions: RLUG’s leadership transformation (2021-2022)
RLUG secured significant workplace improvements while developing young leaders and building cross-cultural solidarity. Key achievements Concrete victories included: Elected young
Defending workers through crisis: RLUG’s pandemic response (2020-2021)
RLUG adapted its organising strategies during COVID-19, focusing on protecting workers’ rights and building women’s leadership while moving activities online.
Breaking down barriers: Building inclusive unions in Thailand (2018-2019)
RLUG led a strategic project to expand union membership rights and build stronger, more inclusive unions across Thailand’s manufacturing sector.
When we unite, we win. As a Kiwi Solidarity member, you’ll join our growing community of New Zealanders who are backing workers and their whānau across the Asia-Pacific to fight back against exploitation and build strong, independent unions.
Together, we put resources directly in the hands of local union partners who know exactly what their communities need. From garment workers in Fiji demanding better wages and conditions to fishing crews in Indonesia organising against forced labour – our solidarity makes their collective action possible.
Stories from RLUG
Bangkok delivery riders campaign for new constitution
Under their banners and placards “8 February. Vote Yes. New Constitution”, members of the Rangsit Riders Union campaigned in support
Building solidarity with migrant workers through social activities
Strengthening the relationship between Thai and Burmese factory workers is central to the work of the Rangsit and Area Labour
Strengthening the Bangkok Platform Riders Union (2025-26)
In partnership with the Rangsit Labour Union Group (RLUG), UnionAID is supporting a vital project to build collective
Thailand: women dismissed after positive pregnancy tests
Labour rights activist Sriprai Nonsee, from our partner Rangsit Labour Union Group (RLUG), reports that factories in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit
Workers benefit from representation on Thai security board
Bringing younger workers into senior positions under the UnionAID partnership with the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG) has
Rangsit riders unite under one union
A brand new union has been formed by nine Riders who risk their lives daily in the industrial city of
UnionAID supports democratic, worker-led organisations that help empower working people to improve their work and livelihoods through collective action.
Find out more about what we do and how to get involved here or become a Kiwi Solidarity Member now.