SRP: Standing Up For Our Workers, Together We Can Bring Change

Source: SRP

STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE 122ND
ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR DAY

STANDING UP FOR OUR WORKERS
TOGETHER WE CAN BRING CHANGE

Cambodian workers are working harder than ever but eating less than before. Cambodian workers are saving harder than ever to support and bring their families out of poverty but their families are falling further behind in debt. Prices for everything, from gasoline to groceries are skyrocketing, health care is expensive and landlords continue to ruthlessly raise rental rates. It is these workers that have contributed to our growing but are direct victims of corruption and a poorly managed economy. It is insulting to reward the workers' hard efforts and sacrifice by a paltry and clearly insufficient raise of US$6 a month.

THIS IS WHY SRP IS STANDING UP WITH THE WORKERS AND THEIR UNIONS TO DEMAND THAT THEIR RIGHTS BE RESPECTED AND THAT THEY BE GIVEN A DECENT AND FAIR MONTHLY WAGE TO ENABLE THEM TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY. IN ADDITION WE DEMAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS MEET MINIMAL INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, SAFE AND FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS AND FREE HEALTH CARE FOR THE WORKERS THAT DRIVE CAMBODIA'S ECONOMY.

On this occasion of the 122nd anniversary of international Labor Day, SRP reiterates its stance on economic and social justice and demands the end to the exploitation of our workers and full protection of their rights and freedoms as enshrined in the constitution and the Labor Law.

Cambodian workers deserve better! Cambodian workers should not continue to struggle for what they have earned through their own hard work and initiatives. The government must understand that in an economy such as Cambodia where natural resources are badly managed it is these workers that drive our economy. It is the government that has failed the workers by not implementing appropriate policies to manage inflation levels and address the high cost of living.

SRP proposes the following solutions to address the pressing needs of our workers:

• a new Labor Law that includes a minimum monthly wage of US$75;
• reduction of the price of gasoline by reducing the tax on the sale of gasoline;
• free health care;
• full protection of workers rights, including the right to strike and the end to the use of force by police;
• full implementation of the labor law;
• creation of a Labor Court.

Economic growth can not be sustained without the lack of political will to end corruption. Real economic growth can not occur if our workers are exploited and devalued. This will only lead to an economy where the exploiters benefit, not the society as a whole. If we as a nation are to prosper and reap the benefits of economic growth we need to reduce the great divide between rich and poor and ensure equality for all our citizens in line with the principles of democracy and good governance - principles already practiced by many of our neighboring countries. In this way Cambodia will gain global respect and recognition and attract good investors and develop a stable and sustainable economy.

Thus we come together on this fortuitous day – Labour Day – and remind our workers that they have a voice to bring about change to the current crisis in their lives. On Election Day 27 July, 2008 that voice will be heard again and signal that change is needed and inevitably change must come.

General-secretariat
Sam Rainsy Party
April 30, 2008