Workers Eye Opposition: Survey By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
28 April 2008
The Cambodian Center for Labor Rights organized a meeting Sunday, bringing together representatives of five construction worker unions and three garment factory unions in one restaurant.
The meeting, on “worker decisions on politics,” gathered the political expectations of more than 4,000 workers, many of whom say they would vote for the opposition if it were able to meet their needs.
The unions sent official letters last week to the four main political parties—the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, coalition partner Funcinpec, opposition Sam Rainsy Party and competing Human Rights Party.
The letter was a political questionnaire, asking how each party would approach worker issues, such us minimum monthly salaries for construction workers, who currently are paid day wages.
The unions informed party officials they would vote for the party that best met their needs.
So far, only the Sam Rainsy party has responded, said Rath Rothmony, president of the Cambodian Center for Labor Rights.
“We held a discussion yesterday, in which 54 of 56 leaders, representing more than 4,000 workers, voted for the Sam Rainsy Party in a secret ballot,” he said. “This is our survey in accordance with democracy.”
But with more than 400,000 workers in Cambodia, 4,000 is a small number, said Nguon Nhel, CPP first vice president of the National Assembly.
“Usually, the political rival is looking for many kinds of ways to degrade the reputation of the ruling party, or any political party, to bring its popularity up,” he said.
Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth Chantha said the announcement of Sam Rainsy support affected the freedom and neutrality of unions.
The meeting, on “worker decisions on politics,” gathered the political expectations of more than 4,000 workers, many of whom say they would vote for the opposition if it were able to meet their needs.
The unions sent official letters last week to the four main political parties—the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, coalition partner Funcinpec, opposition Sam Rainsy Party and competing Human Rights Party.
The letter was a political questionnaire, asking how each party would approach worker issues, such us minimum monthly salaries for construction workers, who currently are paid day wages.
The unions informed party officials they would vote for the party that best met their needs.
So far, only the Sam Rainsy party has responded, said Rath Rothmony, president of the Cambodian Center for Labor Rights.
“We held a discussion yesterday, in which 54 of 56 leaders, representing more than 4,000 workers, voted for the Sam Rainsy Party in a secret ballot,” he said. “This is our survey in accordance with democracy.”
But with more than 400,000 workers in Cambodia, 4,000 is a small number, said Nguon Nhel, CPP first vice president of the National Assembly.
“Usually, the political rival is looking for many kinds of ways to degrade the reputation of the ruling party, or any political party, to bring its popularity up,” he said.
Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth Chantha said the announcement of Sam Rainsy support affected the freedom and neutrality of unions.
3 comments:
You need to make the public known that HunSen exported rice to Vietnam far lower than the market rate; Vietnamese sold it to Phillipine (pres. Arroyo) said, she paid vietnamese $1,100 per metric ton. Khmer sold Viets to <$300.
I see HunSen only looking out for Youns, not his coutrymen (Khmers).
Khmer democratic parties will not have a unity. It should happen long time ago. And it cannot happen now.
A few days after the coup the western gave a big support and idea for the 3 main democratic parties to form a UCD (United Cambodian Democracies). They asked Kem Sokha to be a middle person. Son San accepted it. Ranaridh was OK with it. But Rainsy refused. He said the same thing as now "His party will win. His party does not need anyone else". If they united, they would already win the CPP at that time.
After seeing Rainsy's attitute, Son San's team later joined FUNCINPEC.
After staying with FUNCINPEC for awhile Kem Sohka saw no hope that FUNCINPEC would go up but to come down. He then secretly talked to Rainsy to bring about half of FUNCINPEC's team to join Rainsy. But Rainsy refused again.
Later on Kem Sokha throw a Human Rights group organization to gain his own popularity. Seeing and fearing of popularity of Kem Sokha, Rainsy and his wife then secretly met Kem Sokha and offerred him a Vice President at Sam Rainsy Party. But it was Kem Sokha's turn to refuse.
Later in 2006 one of the western country tried to put these two men at a round table in Phnom Penh and asked them to work together. But Rainsy refused again. He said "His tree has grown strong roots. His ship is going toward the goal. His party is OK. He doesnot need anyone."
Again in 2007 after Kem Sokha launched the Human Rights Party, a group of western countries tried to put them together. They arranged for both of them to meet in Switzeland. Kem Sokha showed up, but Rainsy did not. Rainsy and his wife went to Paris instead.
I think it was the final attemp of the western to help these two groups to unite. And I think they will never be together. In their heart they become the enemy now.
They both are now trying so hard to gain votes and seats in order to be a partner with CPP to run the government. But they are wrong again. FUNCINPEC will win a few seats (2 or 3 at least) that will add up to 50+1 with CPP. Then they are still a strong partner for government.
It is too late for Kem Sokha, Rainsy or anyone to call for the unity.
Wrong, Ah Toothless Khmer-Yuon (Heng Soy), the SRP only care about fame and power. They don't give a damn about any workers. I am sure they promised everyone Hollywood lifestyle for their votes.
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