Prime Minister Abhisit, in accepting a list of demands from the women trade unionists, said the government was examining policies supportive of women in the workplace, as well as reforms to Thailand's social security system.

VOA: standard.2009.03.09

He has also been standing up to disgruntled trade unionists in loss-making state-owned enterprises.

ECONOMIST: Romania's reforms

The president has also flirted with independent candidates elsewhere, and courted left-wing trade unionists and parties.

ECONOMIST: The president seeks allies, far and wide

Two American trade unionists one dead and one living provide examples of how this might be done.

ECONOMIST: Schumpeter