Ath Thun, president of Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union, speaks near a sign that reads "Solidarity for our wages" during a strike at the Chinese-owned Chung Fai Knitwear Fty. Ltd. in Phnom Penh September 13, 2010. Cambodian labour activist Moeun Tola blames the Gap Inc, Nike Inc and other big Western brands for sinking Cambodian workers in low wages. Moeun Tola and thousands of Cambodian garment workers began a five-day walkout on Monday to demand better wages and benefits, a sign recent labour unrest in China may be spreading to factories elsewhere in Asia that supply the world with low-cost goods. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaSep 13, 2010
DPA
Phnom Penh - A union leader said Monday that 60,000 garment workers at 50 factories had joined a strike in a dispute over Cambodia's revised minimum wage.
Ath Thorn, the president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, said he expected more workers would join in the coming days, with the strike set to continue until at least the end of the week.
'Until now we haven't had any violence. But the police arrested three people at lunchtime and confiscated microphones, and made them sign a contract not to use them any more,' he said.
'This afternoon we have had some more factories go on strike and workers join us, so I expect more (will strike) tomorrow.'
Last week, a coalition of 13 unions voted to strike after the Garment Manufacturers' Association of Cambodia (GMAC), failed to respond to union overtures to increase the monthly minimum wage to 93 dollars.
The labour federation condemned a July deal between the industry group, the government, and some unions to boost the monthly wage by five dollars to 61 dollars.
Unions want a 93-dollar minimum wage, which echoes a finding by the government's National Institute of Statistics that the 358,000 garment workers needed that much to afford food, housing and travel expenses each month.
GMAC secretary-general Ken Loo last week urged member factories to file legal suit against unions to compel strikers to resume work.
The garment industry is Cambodia's largest foreign exchange earner, with the bulk of exports sent to the United States and the European Union. The global economic crisis hammered the industry, which accounted for 15 per cent of gross domestic product in 2008 and two-thirds of exports.
The Ministry of Labour said 93 factories closed last year with the loss of almost 70,000 jobs and overtime cut dramatically.
Ath Thorn, the president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, said he expected more workers would join in the coming days, with the strike set to continue until at least the end of the week.
'Until now we haven't had any violence. But the police arrested three people at lunchtime and confiscated microphones, and made them sign a contract not to use them any more,' he said.
'This afternoon we have had some more factories go on strike and workers join us, so I expect more (will strike) tomorrow.'
Last week, a coalition of 13 unions voted to strike after the Garment Manufacturers' Association of Cambodia (GMAC), failed to respond to union overtures to increase the monthly minimum wage to 93 dollars.
The labour federation condemned a July deal between the industry group, the government, and some unions to boost the monthly wage by five dollars to 61 dollars.
Unions want a 93-dollar minimum wage, which echoes a finding by the government's National Institute of Statistics that the 358,000 garment workers needed that much to afford food, housing and travel expenses each month.
GMAC secretary-general Ken Loo last week urged member factories to file legal suit against unions to compel strikers to resume work.
The garment industry is Cambodia's largest foreign exchange earner, with the bulk of exports sent to the United States and the European Union. The global economic crisis hammered the industry, which accounted for 15 per cent of gross domestic product in 2008 and two-thirds of exports.
The Ministry of Labour said 93 factories closed last year with the loss of almost 70,000 jobs and overtime cut dramatically.
9 comments:
Dear ! folks I knew all your had
a harder time living over there,
but Cambodia country had not real
dependence yet . If we force them
to do as we desire , they may move
to somewhere else or lost a jobs .
First I would like to tell about
peoples that were working at SHAW
supermarket at METHUEN they had
to strike harder and harder to get
more benefit . But in last of
their consequent were more than 10
peoples lost their jobs .
I remember once of Khmer proverbs
said do step by step we will go
through to the point .
Good lucks folks may God Bless
all of your folks .
From Khmer REVERE MA USA.
Thanks .
Great to hear that all garment worker strike!!!Please all khmer people have to stand up against the dictator Regime Hun Xen!!!
We are altogether have to stand up against this regime under youn Hun Xen and the CPP!!!
Please wake up!!!
We have the chance!!!
garment workers shouldn't be on strike if they wanted to keep factories in Cambodia because strikes are hurting them at this time of economy crisis.
strike is no good in Cambodia even at lower wage Cambodian needs jobs very badly, strikes will force companies to loss productivity and losing friendship in Cambodia and they will closed and never come back to Cambodia.
Yes you do it hard,but the company close you get nothing to do and who don't get food to eat?
You better talking first.In USA right now no body want to be strike,because they hard to find a job to do.
Cmabodia need to learn how to Strike and Protest. This is the starting point. Who know what the next protest going to be?
Be ware folks a big fish gone away
and a rabbit gone away .
Cambodia country is not strong enough for all Cambodia country,if they don't like they move out to put their company in Vietname or Thailand or Lao we will get nothing.
Let them leave and go els where, if they dont want to take care of it employee. where all the rich khmer business around the world. step up man...if you love Cambodian
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