PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday called on the country's textile workers and manufacturers to unite as the industry faces increased competition from China and Vietnam."If a factory cannot operate, both sides are lost, but the workers will suffer the most," Hun Sen said in an address to workers in the southwestern beach town of Sihanoukville.
"If there are no investors, there will be no workers and no chance to ask for increased wages because there are no factories," he said.
Hun Sen also urged factory owners "to have good cooperation with unions and workers as well as to take care the welfare of the workers."
The premier appealed to the workers and manufacturers to respect labour law and settle any disagreement peacefully because they were in "the same boat."
Hun Sen also urged factory owners to consider a "maximum increase of wages" for their workers.
Garment manufacturers earlier this month agreed to raise the basic monthly wage of 50 dollars by six dollars after workers threatened to strike as inflation soared.
No protests were reported in the capital Phnom Penh on Thursday as about 300 workers rallied to mark May Day and demand manufacturers respect workers' rights.
They also urged the government to form a "labour court" to deal with their complaints.
"We will demand until our lives end," said Chea Mony, head of Cambodia's largest workers' group, the Cambodian Free Trade Union.
"Our work conditions are not yet good. We are threatened and discriminated against by employers," he added.
The garment industry grew only 8.0 percent last year after suffering a dismal fourth quarter that saw orders plummet by nearly half, according to the World Bank. It previously enjoyed growth of up to 20 percent.
The sector -- the country's largest source of foreign exchange -- faces increased competition from China and Vietnam, with further risks looming due to an economic downturn in the US, Cambodia's biggest market for textiles.
The garment industry employs an estimated 350,000 people in some 300 factories.
But the end of US restrictions against Chinese textile exports in 2009 and greater productivity in Vietnam are likely to erode Cambodia's position, industry officials have warned.
Deteriorating labour relations are also weakening the sector.
6 comments:
Hun Sen should call upon his many cronies to stop extorting money from the factories owners so the investors can improve profit margin and invest more in plants and equipments to further increase productivity.
"If a factory cannot operate, both sides are lost, but the workers will suffer the most.
That's for sure! If those factories felt that their business interests are at risk, cannot compete, less profit margin, more trouble and less productivites they will of course pack and go somewhere else for business.
Hun Sen also urged factory owners "to have good cooperation with unions and workers as well as to take care the welfare of the workers.
It's a good move to harmonize the sector. RGC, Unions and private sector shall work together hand in hand, not just for the interest of the national economy, the business but shall utmost look into the welfare, rights and working condition in workplace to ensure that everyone interest will be looked after.
labour law and settle any disagreement peacefully because they were in "the same boat.
Labour law shall be respected. Many of these garment factories have been entered contract with their overseas buyers with a definite term on child labour, human rights and working conditions.
Hun Sen also urged factory owners to consider a "maximum increase of wages" for their workers.
If RGC allowed, they shall have a salary bench mark in place with minimum or maximum percentage of pay increase over certain period subject to negotiation/bargaining between the Unions and emplyers concerned.
They also urged the government to form a "labour court" to deal with their complaints
Good idea to have labour arbitrate but must be independent.
faces increased competition from China
People go there simply not because that China's labour are cheap, but because China has all the materials the factories needed in their production. Current tax reform in China has actually shaked up many investors whether China will be the place for business.
Business will go to wherever offer the the most profit. That is their constitution.
In any case, the government must throw Ah Sam Rainsy's ass in Prey Sor to save the people from harm.
Hey you Viet pimp/parasite @9:12 AM,
You Viet-born pimp/parasite ought to quit pretending to be Cambodian and speaking out for Cambodian.
You Viet-born pimp/parasite hurts you Viet-plunderer long enough.
You Viet-born pimp/parasite must know that the Cambodian people knows your true color and the world too sees and knows you Viet's true color, very well if I may add!
So take your boat, and head on home down the Mekong river...and don't ever look back.
Nothing in Cambodia (for you Viet-born pimp/parasite) is worth dying for!!!
Go home Viet, Go home!
Hey you Youn pimp/parasite @9:12 AM,
You Youn-born pimp/parasite ought to quit pretending to be Cambodian and speaking out for Cambodian.
You Youn-born pimp/parasite hurts you Youn-plunderer long enough.
You Youn-born pimp/parasite must know that the Cambodian people knows your true color and the world too sees and knows you Viet's true color, very well if I may add!
So take your boat, and head on home down the Mekong river...and don't ever look back.
Nothing in Cambodia (for you Youn-born pimp/parasite) is worth dying for!!!
Go home Youns, Go home!
Business will go to wherever offer the most profit. That is their constitution.
In any case, the government must throw Ah psuychopath Hun Sen's ass in Prey Sor to save the people from harm.
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