Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Fired Phone Company Workers File Complaint

09 January 2013
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

PHNOM PENH - One of Cambodia’s most active unions has filed a complaint against a Thai mobile phone provider, claiming it laid off more than 50 staff members without warning and without compensation.

The complaint was filed with the Ministry of Labor against Mfone, a company that belongs to former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, after the Free Trade Union received a complaint from about half of the 54 fired workers.

In a letter to the ministry, the union says Mfone intends to prevent them from working, which is a breech of the labor law.


Sam Sreymom, deputy secretary-general for the union, said the workers want to return to the company. The union first needs Mfone to accept their return to work, and then to pay them according to the labor law, she said.

Labor Ministry officials could not be reached for comment. Mfone representatives could not be immediately reached for comment.

Mfone, which belongs to Cambodia Shinawatra, or Camshin, is under a 35-year lease with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, through 2028. The company last month suspended nearly 100 telemarketing staff members from work, according to company staff.

Phon Keo Piseth, 28, who worked for Mfone for more than four years, said the company would not meet the suspended workers. The workers want returned to the company and paid compensation, she said.

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