Garment workers in Phnom Penh are expecting the government to make good on pre-election promises now that the ballots are counted. (Photo: AFP)Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Written by Mom Kunthear
The Phnom Penh Post
The Cambodian People’s Party courted the labour vote by vowing higher wages and better conditions. But will they deliver now that election victory is assured?
GARMENT workers say they are eagerly awaiting higher wages and better factory conditions promised to them by political parties before last month's general election. But many fear the promised improvements are nothing more than pre-poll hype from politicians hoping to tap into the Kingdom's sizable labour vote.
"I voted for CPP to lead my country because they promised to help the factory workers," said Soun Sokuntheary, 33, the vice-union leader of ASD factory.
"I want the government to keep their promises and I want them to make a labour court, increase factory worker's salaries and enforce the labour law which is currently not respected by employers," she said. "If the CPP doesn't do what they promised I will not vote for them during the next elections."
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) looks set to clinch a landslide victory, taking 90 of the National Assembly's 123 seats. But Sourn Sokuntheary is now worried they will forget their promise to help workers.
"We are angry at factory owners lack of respect for the Kingdom's labour law and we want the government to help us," she said.
Mam Chanthorn, 28, at Hata factory, is also hoping that the government makes good on its pre-election promises and increases workers' salaries because, like many factory labourers, he finds life difficult on his low wage. "I need US$75 per month because my current salary, $55, is not enough to support my family," he said.
"I have never listened to the government's promises as a promise is only words and I think actions are more important," he added.
Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers, said that promises made by parties during election campaigns are often not acted upon after the polls.
"The parties just make promises but in reality the new government is the same, and I think that they will take a long time to solve the problems faced by factory workers," Ath Thorn said.
Others also do not believe that the government will implement any changes, and have decided to quit their jobs and return home to the provinces.
"The leaders have already promised that they would increase our wages many times but they never have," said Han Thanna, 26, who recently left Hantech factory.
"So I have decided to go back to Kampong Cham province to help at my parents' farm."
Cambodia's garment industry employs some 360,000 people, many of whom support extended families in the countryside.
GARMENT workers say they are eagerly awaiting higher wages and better factory conditions promised to them by political parties before last month's general election. But many fear the promised improvements are nothing more than pre-poll hype from politicians hoping to tap into the Kingdom's sizable labour vote.
"I voted for CPP to lead my country because they promised to help the factory workers," said Soun Sokuntheary, 33, the vice-union leader of ASD factory.
"I want the government to keep their promises and I want them to make a labour court, increase factory worker's salaries and enforce the labour law which is currently not respected by employers," she said. "If the CPP doesn't do what they promised I will not vote for them during the next elections."
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) looks set to clinch a landslide victory, taking 90 of the National Assembly's 123 seats. But Sourn Sokuntheary is now worried they will forget their promise to help workers.
"We are angry at factory owners lack of respect for the Kingdom's labour law and we want the government to help us," she said.
Mam Chanthorn, 28, at Hata factory, is also hoping that the government makes good on its pre-election promises and increases workers' salaries because, like many factory labourers, he finds life difficult on his low wage. "I need US$75 per month because my current salary, $55, is not enough to support my family," he said.
"I have never listened to the government's promises as a promise is only words and I think actions are more important," he added.
Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers, said that promises made by parties during election campaigns are often not acted upon after the polls.
"The parties just make promises but in reality the new government is the same, and I think that they will take a long time to solve the problems faced by factory workers," Ath Thorn said.
I voted for the cpp ... because they promised to help the factory workers."The factory workers will probably have to strike or demonstrate before the government makes any of the promised changes."
Others also do not believe that the government will implement any changes, and have decided to quit their jobs and return home to the provinces.
"The leaders have already promised that they would increase our wages many times but they never have," said Han Thanna, 26, who recently left Hantech factory.
"So I have decided to go back to Kampong Cham province to help at my parents' farm."
Cambodia's garment industry employs some 360,000 people, many of whom support extended families in the countryside.
13 comments:
Promise from PM HUN SEN??? That must be the day! if this dog keep it promise.
I hear you all clear and very clear.
But wait, we, the Government, have alot more important things to do than increase your wages.
Don't worry and stress out. You all will get ONE sarong, two bottles of soy sauce, one bag of MHG, one case of THAI WAI WAI noodle and 60000 riels when our party CPP up for election again in 2013.
See ya all then.
uuuuuuuuu live with it girl...uuu vote for yuon....uuuu will be yuon slave....ok...keep voting for him....chey yo yuon.
charmakee bong paone smer no racist,bong paon viet ot mo nov chrok smer te heng,We come and take over hahahhahahahhahahhah paone smer very easy hahaha too easy five more years no way that Viet for ever!!!!!!!
Don't expect CPP to keep promises BITCHES, we gave you the chance to make the change but you still vote for them, now deal with it.
Vote for Hun Sen? Yuon Slave!
And you (girls) expect promises?!
Chanh bork ké té deung?
Stupid Cambodian people are very gullible and for the next election if these stupid Cambodian people refuse to vote for AH HUN SEN and AH HUN SEN can always put a gun to their head to change their mind!
It is so foolish that these stupid Cambodian people think that they have a choice but in fact they have no choice!
Come on man you should cool down.
There are observers at the voting booth. You just tell the Hun Sen guy that you vote for them and put an x on the party of your choice.
The 1M name removed is to make sure that they will not lose the election.
Don't worry ladies you will get a small raise. Did you know that you supposed to earn much more than now. A part of your money goes into Hun Sen and his good friends pocket (there was an article a couple of years ago on that, I'll post the link if I find it). The raise you will get is in fact a portion of your normal salary.
See how generous Hun Sen is.
You know that Cambodia is one of the top producer of rubber in the world. The cost is around 3000$ for 100kg of rubber. So every year billions of USD vanish in outer space.
That is more expansive then oil. How about tax on gas?
We know that the money for infrastructure in Cambodia come from international aid.
So where the money have gone.
Ask Hun Sen and the CPP they know the answer?
So next time Cambodia goes to vote, vote for the right guy.
You know that Cambodia is one of the top producer of rubber in the world. The cost is around 3000$ for 1000kg of rubber. So every year billions of USD vanish in outer space.
That is more expansive then oil. How about tax on gas?
We know that the money for infrastructure in Cambodia come from international aid.
So where the money have gone.
Ask Hun Sen and the CPP they know the answer?
So next time Cambodia goes to vote, vote for the right guy.
Ooooy! Anett neang nass!
Dear, Soun Sokuntheary you can vote for whoever you want. But if you want CPP increase your salaries YOU MUST WAIT UNTIL NEXT LIFE.
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