រោងចក្រ តំលើង ម៉ូតូហុងដា នៅព្រឹក ថ្ងៃទី23 ខែឧសភា ឆ្នាំ2012 មានកម្មករ កំពុងធ្វើ កូដកម្ម នៅខាង មុខ រោងចក្រ។
អរគុណ
សហជីពសេរីកម្មករ
--
Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC)
Social Justice is the Foundation of Peace
Address: House No.16A, Street 360, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 3,
Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh
Tel/Fax: +855 0 23 216 870
Mobile: +855 0 12 941 308
http://www.ftuw.org/ http://ftuwkc.webs.com/
Showing posts with label Strike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strike. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Communiqué of Cambodge Soir’s Editorial Staff
Unofficial Translation from French by Tola Ek
For the original text in French, please see below
For the original text in French, please see below
Phnom Penh, 13 June 2007
The editorial staff of the Khmer-French-language daily newspaper Cambodge Soir would like to provide herein the reasons which led the staff to unanimously strike on Monday 11 June 2007.
Members of Cambodge Soir’s editorial staff decided to strike to demonstrate their deep disagreement to the firing of one of their colleagues, a reporter, without prior warning, late afternoon on Sunday 10 June.
The reasons for the firing, which were provided to the editorial staff on Monday morning by Cambodge Soir’s director, are vague and appear to be insufficient to us to justify this illegal decision which is detrimental to the entire organization and the proper functioning of Cambodge Soir.
The editorial staff also asked from Cambodge Soir management firm and written commitments on the newspaper operating rule regarding the firing procedures, the editorial responsibilities, and the future of the French-language daily newspaper.
For the time being, the management refused to provide an answer to all these issues and it categorically refuses to touch upon the unjustified firing of our colleague.
On Tuesday evening, the director verbally announced the decision of the management council to close down the Société des Editions du Mékong which published Cambodge Soir, a decision which it verbally blamed on economic “bankruptcy.”
The editorial staff regrets the brutality with which this decision was announced to put to an end 13-year of work, whereas several projects have been initiated during the last few months: the launching of the www.cambodgesoir.info website, book printings, reflection on the evolution of the editorial content, etc…
The editorial staff maintains its demands for clarification and it reaffirms its deepest attachment to the presence of a French-language and Khmer-language newspaper carrying both general and political information.
Contact:
- Stéphanie Gée, Chief Editor: 00-855 (0)12 91 44 18
- Kong Sothanarith, conception manager: 00-855 (0)16 85 09 85
You can also send support emails to:
-------------
Phnom Penh, le 13 juin 2007
La rédaction du quotidien franco-khmer Cambodge Soir tient à préciser les raisons qui l'ont conduite à déclencher à l'unanimité un mouvement de grève, lundi 11 juin 2007, mouvement depuis prolongé.
Les membres de la rédaction de Cambodge Soir se sont mis en grève afin de manifester leur profond désaccord sur l'exclusion de l'un de leurs collègues, journaliste, annoncée sans préavis à l'intéressé dimanche 10 juin en fin d'après-midi.
Les raisons de cette exclusion, expliquées à la rédaction lundi matin par le directeur, sont floues et nous semblent insuffisantes pour justifier cette décision illégale et préjudiciable à l'ensemble de l'organisation et au bon fonctionnement de Cambodge Soir.
La rédaction a par ailleurs demandé aux administrateurs de Cambodge Soir des engagements fermes et écrits sur les règles de fonctionnement du journal concernant les procédures de licenciement, les responsabilités éditoriales et l'avenir de ce quotidien francophone.
La direction s'est pour l'instant refusée à répondre à l'ensemble de ces points et refuse catégoriquement d'aborder la question de l'exclusion injustifiée de notre collègue.
Mardi soir, le directeur a annoncé par oral la décision du conseil d'administration de fermer la Société des Editions du Mékong, qui publie Cambodge Soir, décision qu'il a justifiée oralement par une "faillite" économique.
La rédaction regrette la brutalité avec laquelle a été annoncée cette décision de mettre un terme à un travail de treize ans, alors que de nombreux projets ont été mis en place au cours des derniers mois : lancement du site internet www.cambodgesoir.info, édition d'ouvrages, réflexion sur l'évolution du contenu éditorial...
La rédaction maintient ses demandes de clarification et réaffirme son attachement profond à l'existence d'un journal d'informations générales et politiques francophone et khmérophone.
Contacts :
- Stéphanie Gée, rédactrice en chef : 00-855 (0)12 91 44 18
- Kong Sothanarith, responsable conception : 00-855 (0)16 85 09 85
Vous pouvez envoyer des mails de soutien à :
The editorial staff of the Khmer-French-language daily newspaper Cambodge Soir would like to provide herein the reasons which led the staff to unanimously strike on Monday 11 June 2007.
Members of Cambodge Soir’s editorial staff decided to strike to demonstrate their deep disagreement to the firing of one of their colleagues, a reporter, without prior warning, late afternoon on Sunday 10 June.
The reasons for the firing, which were provided to the editorial staff on Monday morning by Cambodge Soir’s director, are vague and appear to be insufficient to us to justify this illegal decision which is detrimental to the entire organization and the proper functioning of Cambodge Soir.
The editorial staff also asked from Cambodge Soir management firm and written commitments on the newspaper operating rule regarding the firing procedures, the editorial responsibilities, and the future of the French-language daily newspaper.
For the time being, the management refused to provide an answer to all these issues and it categorically refuses to touch upon the unjustified firing of our colleague.
On Tuesday evening, the director verbally announced the decision of the management council to close down the Société des Editions du Mékong which published Cambodge Soir, a decision which it verbally blamed on economic “bankruptcy.”
The editorial staff regrets the brutality with which this decision was announced to put to an end 13-year of work, whereas several projects have been initiated during the last few months: the launching of the www.cambodgesoir.info website, book printings, reflection on the evolution of the editorial content, etc…
The editorial staff maintains its demands for clarification and it reaffirms its deepest attachment to the presence of a French-language and Khmer-language newspaper carrying both general and political information.
Contact:
- Stéphanie Gée, Chief Editor: 00-855 (0)12 91 44 18
- Kong Sothanarith, conception manager: 00-855 (0)16 85 09 85
You can also send support emails to:
collectifcs@gmail.com
-------------
Communiqué de la rédaction de Cambodge Soir
Phnom Penh, le 13 juin 2007
La rédaction du quotidien franco-khmer Cambodge Soir tient à préciser les raisons qui l'ont conduite à déclencher à l'unanimité un mouvement de grève, lundi 11 juin 2007, mouvement depuis prolongé.
Les membres de la rédaction de Cambodge Soir se sont mis en grève afin de manifester leur profond désaccord sur l'exclusion de l'un de leurs collègues, journaliste, annoncée sans préavis à l'intéressé dimanche 10 juin en fin d'après-midi.
Les raisons de cette exclusion, expliquées à la rédaction lundi matin par le directeur, sont floues et nous semblent insuffisantes pour justifier cette décision illégale et préjudiciable à l'ensemble de l'organisation et au bon fonctionnement de Cambodge Soir.
La rédaction a par ailleurs demandé aux administrateurs de Cambodge Soir des engagements fermes et écrits sur les règles de fonctionnement du journal concernant les procédures de licenciement, les responsabilités éditoriales et l'avenir de ce quotidien francophone.
La direction s'est pour l'instant refusée à répondre à l'ensemble de ces points et refuse catégoriquement d'aborder la question de l'exclusion injustifiée de notre collègue.
Mardi soir, le directeur a annoncé par oral la décision du conseil d'administration de fermer la Société des Editions du Mékong, qui publie Cambodge Soir, décision qu'il a justifiée oralement par une "faillite" économique.
La rédaction regrette la brutalité avec laquelle a été annoncée cette décision de mettre un terme à un travail de treize ans, alors que de nombreux projets ont été mis en place au cours des derniers mois : lancement du site internet www.cambodgesoir.info, édition d'ouvrages, réflexion sur l'évolution du contenu éditorial...
La rédaction maintient ses demandes de clarification et réaffirme son attachement profond à l'existence d'un journal d'informations générales et politiques francophone et khmérophone.
Contacts :
- Stéphanie Gée, rédactrice en chef : 00-855 (0)12 91 44 18
- Kong Sothanarith, responsable conception : 00-855 (0)16 85 09 85
Vous pouvez envoyer des mails de soutien à :
collectifcs@gmail.com
Cambodge Soir management fires its editor for publishing extracts of GW report, shareholder Monin is linked to Chan Sarun's ministry
Cambodia 13 June 2007
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Francophone organisation asked to help save
French-language daily facing sudden liquidation
French-language daily facing sudden liquidation
Reporters Without Borders is outraged at yesterday's decision by the owners of the French-language daily Cambodge Soir to close the newspaper, just two days after unfairly dismissing its news editor for publishing extracts from a long report on illegal logging that was critical of the government.
The press freedom organisation voiced its solidarity with the newspapers 30 employees - 14 of them journalists - who could all lose their jobs, and called on Abdou Diouf, the secretary-general of the International Organisation of Francophone Countries (OIF), to intercede.
"The OIF has for years been supporting Cambodge Soir, which has become a landmark of the French-language media in Asia and had produced many talented French and Cambodian journalists," Reporters Without Borders said. "Although your organisation had just released new funds to support this newspaper, its management has decided to terminate this 12-year-old venture on the grounds of financial difficulties. We ask you to help prevent the disappearance of this exemplary French-language daily."
Cambodge Soir's owners, among them minority shareholder Philippe Monin, yesterday told its staff that the liquidation of the newspaper and the company that publishes it, Société des Editions du Mékong, had already begun. The announcement came just one day after the newspaper's journalists began a strike in protest against the summary dismissal of news editor Soren Seelow for publishing a detailed story based on a report by the environmental group Global Witness implicating associates of Prime Minister Hun Sen in illegal logging.
The story did not please Monin and the newspaper's managing editor, who summoned Seelow on 10 June and told him he was fired.
Monin, who is also employed by the French Development Agency (AFD) to act as a adviser for the Cambodian agriculture ministry, told Seelow that his article would upset the authorities and put him in a difficult position.
The Cambodian government has banned publication of the report in full or in part, while the prime minister's brother, Hun Neng, reportedly said that if anyone from Global Witness came to Cambodia, he would "beat them on the head until it broke." Cambodge Soir's striking employees meanwhile issued a statement today condemning Seelow's summary dismissal, the meddling in its editorial policies and the fact that the newspaper seems to have no future.
Reporters Without Borders contacted Monin, who has been a shareholder since the newspaper was launched in 1995, but he refused to make any comment.
A Cambodia-based journalist who spoke to Reporters Without Borders on condition of anonymity claimed that the new managing editor hired by Cambodge Soir's board last September had been given the job of "sabotaging" the newspaper.
With support from the French embassy, the staff recently launched several new projects including a website (which is down today) and special sections to cover the trial of Khmer Rouge members. But the managing editor allegedly did several things to undermine these initiatives, including abruptly suspending an advertising sales contract in December.
Cambodge Soir had a reputation for editorial independence, compared with its French-language counterparts in Laos and Vietnam. Despite its limited circulation (about 2,000 copies) and recurring financial difficulties, it had significant impact on the Cambodian media landscape and its reports were often quoted in the Khmer-language press.
The press freedom organisation voiced its solidarity with the newspapers 30 employees - 14 of them journalists - who could all lose their jobs, and called on Abdou Diouf, the secretary-general of the International Organisation of Francophone Countries (OIF), to intercede.
"The OIF has for years been supporting Cambodge Soir, which has become a landmark of the French-language media in Asia and had produced many talented French and Cambodian journalists," Reporters Without Borders said. "Although your organisation had just released new funds to support this newspaper, its management has decided to terminate this 12-year-old venture on the grounds of financial difficulties. We ask you to help prevent the disappearance of this exemplary French-language daily."
Cambodge Soir's owners, among them minority shareholder Philippe Monin, yesterday told its staff that the liquidation of the newspaper and the company that publishes it, Société des Editions du Mékong, had already begun. The announcement came just one day after the newspaper's journalists began a strike in protest against the summary dismissal of news editor Soren Seelow for publishing a detailed story based on a report by the environmental group Global Witness implicating associates of Prime Minister Hun Sen in illegal logging.
The story did not please Monin and the newspaper's managing editor, who summoned Seelow on 10 June and told him he was fired.
Monin, who is also employed by the French Development Agency (AFD) to act as a adviser for the Cambodian agriculture ministry, told Seelow that his article would upset the authorities and put him in a difficult position.
The Cambodian government has banned publication of the report in full or in part, while the prime minister's brother, Hun Neng, reportedly said that if anyone from Global Witness came to Cambodia, he would "beat them on the head until it broke." Cambodge Soir's striking employees meanwhile issued a statement today condemning Seelow's summary dismissal, the meddling in its editorial policies and the fact that the newspaper seems to have no future.
Reporters Without Borders contacted Monin, who has been a shareholder since the newspaper was launched in 1995, but he refused to make any comment.
A Cambodia-based journalist who spoke to Reporters Without Borders on condition of anonymity claimed that the new managing editor hired by Cambodge Soir's board last September had been given the job of "sabotaging" the newspaper.
With support from the French embassy, the staff recently launched several new projects including a website (which is down today) and special sections to cover the trial of Khmer Rouge members. But the managing editor allegedly did several things to undermine these initiatives, including abruptly suspending an advertising sales contract in December.
Cambodge Soir had a reputation for editorial independence, compared with its French-language counterparts in Laos and Vietnam. Despite its limited circulation (about 2,000 copies) and recurring financial difficulties, it had significant impact on the Cambodian media landscape and its reports were often quoted in the Khmer-language press.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Parliament Approves Controversial Wage Cut [- Unions warn about strike]
Cambodian garment factory workers wait for the ride in front of their factory to go home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, June 8, 2007. Cambodian lawmakers approved reduction of night time pay for garment workers Friday, in a labor law amendment the government has deemed necessary for boosting jobs in the industry. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report grom Phnom Penh
08/06/2007
The National Assembly Friday approved an amendment to the labor law that will cut wages of nighttime factory workers, despite a boycott of the vote by opposition lawmakers and previous threats of strike from labor leaders.
The amendment, which proponents say is necessary to keep Cambodia competitive in a global market, will reduce wages for night-shift workers by 70 percent, Labor Minister Vong Soth said. They had been earning twice the daytime wages.
The cut could add as many as 200,000 jobs to Cambodia's top economic earner, Vong Soth said.
Members of the Sam Rainsy Party boycotted the vote.
SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said the amendments catered to industrial bosses, especially garment factory owners, who for years have complained of high wages on the overnight shift, which runs from 10 pm to 5 am.
"We see the loss of additional benefits, and this cannot sustain livelihoods," he said.
President of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chea Mony, called the amendment a "knife that kills" workers.
"We see clearly that if the Assembly adopts this law, there will be strikes at the factories," he said.
The amendment, which proponents say is necessary to keep Cambodia competitive in a global market, will reduce wages for night-shift workers by 70 percent, Labor Minister Vong Soth said. They had been earning twice the daytime wages.
The cut could add as many as 200,000 jobs to Cambodia's top economic earner, Vong Soth said.
Members of the Sam Rainsy Party boycotted the vote.
SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said the amendments catered to industrial bosses, especially garment factory owners, who for years have complained of high wages on the overnight shift, which runs from 10 pm to 5 am.
"We see the loss of additional benefits, and this cannot sustain livelihoods," he said.
President of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chea Mony, called the amendment a "knife that kills" workers.
"We see clearly that if the Assembly adopts this law, there will be strikes at the factories," he said.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Cambodia: Garment workers threaten strikes
May 22nd, 2007
By Jef Costello
libcom.org
By Jef Costello
libcom.org
Garment workers are trying to prevent large pay cuts. At the same time building workers have gone on strike in support of sacked colleagues.
The garment workers are threatening strikes in reaction to governement proposals to change the law that compels employers to pay double wages for night work. By cutting this premium by 70% the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, claims he will be able to create tens of thousands of new jobs. The industry is currently responsible for US$2.3bn worth of exports yearly, almost 80% of the total.
The government plans will affect other industries if they can be succesfully applied here. The 70000-strong Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) has threatened strike action. Currently only 10000 out of some 300000 workers work at night, with the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia claiming that night-workers are too expensive. The legislation is clearly an attempt by the government to normalise night work enabling factories to run 24 hours a day. With the minimum monthly wage set at $50 and union members estimating monthly living costs at $57, it is easy to see that workers will be rapidly forced into night work.
Last year there was a large increase in labour disputes and an increase in the number of disputes that led to strikes. For almost 80% of strikes the reason given was the refusal of management to respect employment laws.
In the Naga resort, near the capital Phnom Penh, workers building a new casino have gone on strike, calling for the reinstatement of 36 carpenters who were fired on Sunday. Management is denying that the workers were fired, claiming that the work they had been contracted to do was finished.
The workers, employed by China Central Asia Group, are also angered by salary cuts, one worker said there had been a pay cut from 14000 riels to 8000 per day (£1.76 to £1). Workers also demand that conditions be improved at the site.
One of the workers claimed that management was deliberately pressuring unionised workers to force them to quit. Mœun Tola, the President of the National Building Workers union claimed that the sacked workers were not on the site due to fear of reprisals. Workers and organisers have been reported rising intimidation i recent years and three union leaders have been murdered, with pro-government forces being blamed.
A Cambodian journalist, Keo Nimol, has gone into hiding after Prime Minister Hun Sen called him "insolent" and "rude" during a radio broadcast. It is claimed that after the broadcast Mr Sen asked for personal information on Mr Nimol. During the interview Mr Nimol had tried to ask Mr Sen if rumours of a rift between the two parties in the government coalition were true.
The garment workers are threatening strikes in reaction to governement proposals to change the law that compels employers to pay double wages for night work. By cutting this premium by 70% the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, claims he will be able to create tens of thousands of new jobs. The industry is currently responsible for US$2.3bn worth of exports yearly, almost 80% of the total.
The government plans will affect other industries if they can be succesfully applied here. The 70000-strong Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) has threatened strike action. Currently only 10000 out of some 300000 workers work at night, with the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia claiming that night-workers are too expensive. The legislation is clearly an attempt by the government to normalise night work enabling factories to run 24 hours a day. With the minimum monthly wage set at $50 and union members estimating monthly living costs at $57, it is easy to see that workers will be rapidly forced into night work.
Last year there was a large increase in labour disputes and an increase in the number of disputes that led to strikes. For almost 80% of strikes the reason given was the refusal of management to respect employment laws.
In the Naga resort, near the capital Phnom Penh, workers building a new casino have gone on strike, calling for the reinstatement of 36 carpenters who were fired on Sunday. Management is denying that the workers were fired, claiming that the work they had been contracted to do was finished.
The workers, employed by China Central Asia Group, are also angered by salary cuts, one worker said there had been a pay cut from 14000 riels to 8000 per day (£1.76 to £1). Workers also demand that conditions be improved at the site.
One of the workers claimed that management was deliberately pressuring unionised workers to force them to quit. Mœun Tola, the President of the National Building Workers union claimed that the sacked workers were not on the site due to fear of reprisals. Workers and organisers have been reported rising intimidation i recent years and three union leaders have been murdered, with pro-government forces being blamed.
A Cambodian journalist, Keo Nimol, has gone into hiding after Prime Minister Hun Sen called him "insolent" and "rude" during a radio broadcast. It is claimed that after the broadcast Mr Sen asked for personal information on Mr Nimol. During the interview Mr Nimol had tried to ask Mr Sen if rumours of a rift between the two parties in the government coalition were true.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Police Disperse Striking Workers
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
21/05/2007
Original report from Phnom Penh
21/05/2007
Kandal provincial police Monday dispersed a group of striking workers who were demanding management of the River Rich Textile factory allow 10 union representatives return to work.
The workers had been on strike for several days, disrupting traffic and affecting public order, officials said.
The president of the Cambodia Alliance of Democratic Labor Union of Garment Workers, Ath Thun told, VOA Khmer more than 100 police officers dispersed about 200 workers. Several were wounded, he said.
"At about 8 o'clock, the police force and riot police were ordered to come and arrest 10 people, and one of my representatives was brutally chased in front of all my workers," he said. "There were scuffles, and some even fled to rented apartments."
Clashes lasted until noon, he said, when UN representatives arrived and settled the dispute.
"If the owner does not respect [the law] and does something bad, [the police] do not help us, but if we are on strike, they threaten us," Ath Thun said.
Police denied any injuries were incurred, but Kandal First Deputy Police Chief Sau Sothun said the strike had created anarchy that the police needed to deal with.
No one was arrested, Sau Sothun said, but three worker representatives had been summoned to the court for questioning.
The workers had been on strike for several days, disrupting traffic and affecting public order, officials said.
The president of the Cambodia Alliance of Democratic Labor Union of Garment Workers, Ath Thun told, VOA Khmer more than 100 police officers dispersed about 200 workers. Several were wounded, he said.
"At about 8 o'clock, the police force and riot police were ordered to come and arrest 10 people, and one of my representatives was brutally chased in front of all my workers," he said. "There were scuffles, and some even fled to rented apartments."
Clashes lasted until noon, he said, when UN representatives arrived and settled the dispute.
"If the owner does not respect [the law] and does something bad, [the police] do not help us, but if we are on strike, they threaten us," Ath Thun said.
Police denied any injuries were incurred, but Kandal First Deputy Police Chief Sau Sothun said the strike had created anarchy that the police needed to deal with.
No one was arrested, Sau Sothun said, but three worker representatives had been summoned to the court for questioning.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Cambodia’s largest union threatens strike over wage cuts
12 May 2007
Posted at wsws.org
Posted at wsws.org
Chea Mony, the president of the Free Trade Union of the Kingdom of Cambodia, warned on May 7 that the union’s 70,000 members would strike if the government went ahead with its proposal to slash the night-time work rate in the garment industry.
Currently the night time wage is set at 200 percent of the day rate. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen recently announced he would seek to pass legislation on May 17 to cut night shift pay to 130 percent. This would affect the wages of around 330,000 people in the clothing sector.
Garment manufacturers want to run factories 24 hours a day but claim wages are so high the garments produced are uncompetitive. The government is pushing the pay cut on the grounds it will lead to the creation of more jobs.
Cambodian garment workers currently earn an average of just $US50 a month for day shift work. Even with the night shift rate of $US100, they are still among the lowest paid workers in the region. Garment workers are paid an average of $127 in China, $122 in Vietnam and $164 in Thailand.
Currently the night time wage is set at 200 percent of the day rate. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen recently announced he would seek to pass legislation on May 17 to cut night shift pay to 130 percent. This would affect the wages of around 330,000 people in the clothing sector.
Garment manufacturers want to run factories 24 hours a day but claim wages are so high the garments produced are uncompetitive. The government is pushing the pay cut on the grounds it will lead to the creation of more jobs.
Cambodian garment workers currently earn an average of just $US50 a month for day shift work. Even with the night shift rate of $US100, they are still among the lowest paid workers in the region. Garment workers are paid an average of $127 in China, $122 in Vietnam and $164 in Thailand.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Work harder, earn less: Only in Cambodia can this happens
National Assembly to Debate Salary Reduction
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07/05/2007
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07/05/2007
The National Assembly is set to debate an amendment to the labor law that would greatly reduce the night wages of factory workers, in one of the country's most volatile industries.
The amendment seeks to lower the wage from twice the amount of day work to just 30 percent above, potentially sparking widespread reprisals from disgruntled garment workers. The amendment was already approved by a lower committee and will move to the floor for debate.
Chea Mony, leader of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a large union, warned that if the Assembly adopts the amendment, the union will stage a massive strike. He called the wage reduction amendment "brainless."
Opposition lawmaker Keo Remy said he was against the amendment and would work to stop it.
The amendment seeks to lower the wage from twice the amount of day work to just 30 percent above, potentially sparking widespread reprisals from disgruntled garment workers. The amendment was already approved by a lower committee and will move to the floor for debate.
Chea Mony, leader of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a large union, warned that if the Assembly adopts the amendment, the union will stage a massive strike. He called the wage reduction amendment "brainless."
Opposition lawmaker Keo Remy said he was against the amendment and would work to stop it.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Cambodia's largest union threatens strike if wages decrease
May 7, 2007
DPA
DPA
Phnom Penh - Members of Cambodia's largest and most powerful union will call a national strike if the National Assembly votes to decrease night wages this month, its president said Monday.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU), warned that the union's members would strike if the National Assembly decides to lower night wages from 200 to 130 per cent of day rates in a vote scheduled for May 17.
'The workers will strike and the union will support them. It is their constitutional right to do so under Chapter 13 of the Cambodian Constitution,' Mony said.
He said the FTU has 70,000 members. Most of these are in the garment industry.
Garment manufacturers have complained that Cambodia's high overheads and wages compared to other garment producing nations could make it a less desirable production base in coming years compared to cheaper countries such as Bangladesh and neighbouring Vietnam.
Cambodia relies heavily on its garment sector, which along with tourism and construction is one of three pillars on which the narrowly based national economy is firmly fixed.
Mony also warned that the issue would become a political hot potato in the lead-up to the 2008 general elections scheduled for next July for the ruling Cambodian People's Party if it used its numbers to force the bill through.
Mony took over as president of the prominent union after his brother and founding president, Chea Vichea, was shot dead in 2004. The union is generally seen as sympathetic to the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU), warned that the union's members would strike if the National Assembly decides to lower night wages from 200 to 130 per cent of day rates in a vote scheduled for May 17.
'The workers will strike and the union will support them. It is their constitutional right to do so under Chapter 13 of the Cambodian Constitution,' Mony said.
He said the FTU has 70,000 members. Most of these are in the garment industry.
Garment manufacturers have complained that Cambodia's high overheads and wages compared to other garment producing nations could make it a less desirable production base in coming years compared to cheaper countries such as Bangladesh and neighbouring Vietnam.
Cambodia relies heavily on its garment sector, which along with tourism and construction is one of three pillars on which the narrowly based national economy is firmly fixed.
Mony also warned that the issue would become a political hot potato in the lead-up to the 2008 general elections scheduled for next July for the ruling Cambodian People's Party if it used its numbers to force the bill through.
Mony took over as president of the prominent union after his brother and founding president, Chea Vichea, was shot dead in 2004. The union is generally seen as sympathetic to the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Wildcat strikes threaten Cambodian garment sector [-Garment industry's lack of respect of the law and low wages are the main culprit also]
February 9, 2007
By Ek Madra
REUTERS
By Ek Madra
REUTERS
PHNOM PENH – A growing number of wildcat strikes and politicised, unruly unions are threatening Cambodia's garment sector, an industry that accounts for 80 percent of the country's exports, its top representative said on Friday.
The government and International Labor Organization (ILO) must step in to curb the 'illegal practices' that are now happening more than three times a week, Van Sou Ieng of the Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association said.
'It is a big threat not only to the garment industry, but also to the whole of Cambodia's industrial activities,' said Van Sou Ieng, whose group represents 300 foreign-owned factories in the war-scarred southeast Asian nation.
'About 20 to 30 workers become unhappy and then block the doors to prevent 500 or 1,000 other workers getting in,' he told Reuters. Most disputes relate to unpaid and low wages or unfair dismissal.
Cambodia exported clothes worth $2.6 billion last year, a 17 percent rise from 2005. Nearly 75 percent of the clothes go to the United States, and the rest to Canada and Europe.
The sector employs more than 300,000 people, most of them women, and even though average wages are around $50 a month, it has been credited as one of the few engines of growth in one of Asia's poorest countries.
However, the boom has been accompanied by an explosion in the number of labor unions, and more than 1,000 are thought to be operating in some form or another.
Van Sou Ien said the vast majority were vehicles for rabble-rousing politicians rather than legitimate unions.
In response, the ILO, which has been monitoring factory working conditions for years, has modified its role to training workers and management in the art of dispute resolution, although it concedes that much remains to be done.
'Striking is not the way to solve problems. It's a last resort,' said assistant programme manager Conor Boyle. 'If you can solve problems internally, within your factories, you come up with the much better solutions for all concerned.'
Despite the problems, the writing is not yet on the wall as many big-name U.S. brands such as Adidas, Nike or Gap continue to see Cambodia as a safe place from which to source goods due mainly to the ILO oversight.
Foreign investment quadrupled in 2006 from the previous year to nearly $4 billion, with most of the increase due to the garment sector despite fears of increased competition stemming from Cambodia's 2004 accession to the World Trade Organization.
However, Van Sou Ieng said in a highly competitive industry, no country could not afford to have labor disputes tarnish its image and ward off investors.
A year ago, neighbouring Vietnam responded to a series of wildcat strikes at dozens of foreign-owned factories in the southern commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City, with a 40 percent hike in the minimum wage to between $45-55 a month.
The government and International Labor Organization (ILO) must step in to curb the 'illegal practices' that are now happening more than three times a week, Van Sou Ieng of the Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association said.
'It is a big threat not only to the garment industry, but also to the whole of Cambodia's industrial activities,' said Van Sou Ieng, whose group represents 300 foreign-owned factories in the war-scarred southeast Asian nation.
'About 20 to 30 workers become unhappy and then block the doors to prevent 500 or 1,000 other workers getting in,' he told Reuters. Most disputes relate to unpaid and low wages or unfair dismissal.
Cambodia exported clothes worth $2.6 billion last year, a 17 percent rise from 2005. Nearly 75 percent of the clothes go to the United States, and the rest to Canada and Europe.
The sector employs more than 300,000 people, most of them women, and even though average wages are around $50 a month, it has been credited as one of the few engines of growth in one of Asia's poorest countries.
However, the boom has been accompanied by an explosion in the number of labor unions, and more than 1,000 are thought to be operating in some form or another.
Van Sou Ien said the vast majority were vehicles for rabble-rousing politicians rather than legitimate unions.
In response, the ILO, which has been monitoring factory working conditions for years, has modified its role to training workers and management in the art of dispute resolution, although it concedes that much remains to be done.
'Striking is not the way to solve problems. It's a last resort,' said assistant programme manager Conor Boyle. 'If you can solve problems internally, within your factories, you come up with the much better solutions for all concerned.'
Despite the problems, the writing is not yet on the wall as many big-name U.S. brands such as Adidas, Nike or Gap continue to see Cambodia as a safe place from which to source goods due mainly to the ILO oversight.
Foreign investment quadrupled in 2006 from the previous year to nearly $4 billion, with most of the increase due to the garment sector despite fears of increased competition stemming from Cambodia's 2004 accession to the World Trade Organization.
However, Van Sou Ieng said in a highly competitive industry, no country could not afford to have labor disputes tarnish its image and ward off investors.
A year ago, neighbouring Vietnam responded to a series of wildcat strikes at dozens of foreign-owned factories in the southern commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City, with a 40 percent hike in the minimum wage to between $45-55 a month.
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