Rong Chhun (L), Cambodia's Independent Teachers Association president, and Chea Mony (R), president of the Free Trade Union (Photo: Sralanh Khmer newspaper)Tuesday, May 24, 2006
By Nhim Sophal Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by KI-Media
Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), wrote to the prime minister yesterday to remind him about the demands they push forward on May 1, they also urge the prime minister to give his green light to these demands. The two unions demanded that the salary of government employees and that of teachers be raised to $100 per month, and that of the workers be raised to $80. They also demanded that the workweek hours be reduced from 48 to 44 hours, and that the price of gas be reduced to 2,500 riels per liter. “We have been waiting a reply from the government for several weeks now. Government employees and teachers must get the attention. If not, this would lead to a strike,” the two unionists indicated.
The two also indicated that they are ready to take action. “We leave one week for the government to answer us through an official letter. If nothing happens, then we will write one last time to the government before calling for the general strike,” Rong Chhun and Chea Mony said. In 2000, CITA launched a general strike which was not well received. The union claims that it was because the teachers were pressured by the government [not to join the strike].
The two also indicated that they are ready to take action. “We leave one week for the government to answer us through an official letter. If nothing happens, then we will write one last time to the government before calling for the general strike,” Rong Chhun and Chea Mony said. In 2000, CITA launched a general strike which was not well received. The union claims that it was because the teachers were pressured by the government [not to join the strike].
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