Robert Carmichael, Phnom Penh
Discussions between Cambodia's government, manufacturers and unions over a pay increase for garment workers have ended without agreement.
Most of Cambodia's 350,000 garment workers are young women, and on average earn the monthly minimum wage of $US50 a month, stitching clothes for export.
But unions have long said that is insufficient, and the government's own statistics office agrees, saying workers need at least $US93 a month to make ends meet.
This week's meeting between government, unions and the Garment Manufacturers' Association of Cambodia - the main trade body - ended without agreement.
But the manufacturers' representative said his members would look further into the issue.
The proposed increase would represent a rise in costs for the industry, which has suffered in the past 18 months from lower orders.
Dozens of factories have closed and tens of thousands of workers have lost their jobs as demand from the key US market slumped.
Most of Cambodia's 350,000 garment workers are young women, and on average earn the monthly minimum wage of $US50 a month, stitching clothes for export.
But unions have long said that is insufficient, and the government's own statistics office agrees, saying workers need at least $US93 a month to make ends meet.
This week's meeting between government, unions and the Garment Manufacturers' Association of Cambodia - the main trade body - ended without agreement.
But the manufacturers' representative said his members would look further into the issue.
The proposed increase would represent a rise in costs for the industry, which has suffered in the past 18 months from lower orders.
Dozens of factories have closed and tens of thousands of workers have lost their jobs as demand from the key US market slumped.
2 comments:
Pay rate should adjust to the cost of living. The cost of living is very high compare to $50/month earning. The workers should not return to work until agreement reached. Stand strong!
CPP bottle of wine in their daily eveing party cost a lot more then this workers salary. This is sad!
All CPP corrupted officials are millionaire while millions of Khmer citizens are in poverty.
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