Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia (Photo Sok Serey, RFA)10,000 workers are planning to participate in the May Day parade
30 April 2006
By Sok Serey Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media
Several thousands of factory workers in Cambodia are expected to participate in the peaceful march in Phnom Penh on Monday 01 May to demand for an increase of monthly salary by 30,000 to 40,000 riels (US$7.50 to $10.00), and to demand for an improvement of the respect of the workers right during the May Day celebration.
Another factory worker group claim that they will not participate in the march, but they will participate in an [indoor] meeting where they will express their opinion.
The organizers of the different events claim that the division of the factory workers’ force into several groups for the celebration of the international May Day, serves the same purpose by using different means. It does not indicate any dissention.
The May Day protest march
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia, is planning to lead the march and peaceful protest by factory workers from 172 factories, regrouping about 10,000 workers. He stated their goal is: “to demand the government to resolve the salary: 400,000 riels ($100 per month) for teachers and 320,000 riels ($80 per month) for workers.”
Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association, who is also planning to participate [in the march], said that a group of 300 teachers from different provinces and Phnom Penh will participate along with the Moto Doup workers. He requested the authority not to prevent [the march].
Rong Chhun said: “What we are doing, is according to Article 41 of the Constitution.”
General Khieu Sopheak, the spokesman of the ministry of Interior said that the government stance is not to authorize the march.
Khieu Sopheak said: “The refusal to comply and forcing this march, we will consider it as a violation of the law of our country.”
The pro-Hun Sen government organizers
Along with the government refusal to authorize the march on Monday, the reaction committee to protect human rights in Cambodia regrouping 18 organizations, had organized a meeting in the Chenla building, and it invited 600 workers to participate in this event.
Chan Saret, an official with this committee, said: “We do not need to organize any march, we are inviting all unions and worker representatives to participate.”
Chuon Mom Thol, president of the Fedration of Union of Cambodia, a pro-government entity, said that several thousands of workers had already met for the May Day celebration in front of Apsara TV station under the presence of prime minister Hun Sen.
Chuon Mom Thol added: “The factories constitute the rice pot for their owners, they are also the rice pot of the workers.”
Chuon Mom Thol said that 10,000 workers will hold a party on Monday. The celebration will include dancing, motorcycle raffles, and banquets.
Currently [in Cambodia], there are about 350 garment factories and 350,000 workers.
Another factory worker group claim that they will not participate in the march, but they will participate in an [indoor] meeting where they will express their opinion.
The organizers of the different events claim that the division of the factory workers’ force into several groups for the celebration of the international May Day, serves the same purpose by using different means. It does not indicate any dissention.
The May Day protest march
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia, is planning to lead the march and peaceful protest by factory workers from 172 factories, regrouping about 10,000 workers. He stated their goal is: “to demand the government to resolve the salary: 400,000 riels ($100 per month) for teachers and 320,000 riels ($80 per month) for workers.”
Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association, who is also planning to participate [in the march], said that a group of 300 teachers from different provinces and Phnom Penh will participate along with the Moto Doup workers. He requested the authority not to prevent [the march].
Rong Chhun said: “What we are doing, is according to Article 41 of the Constitution.”
General Khieu Sopheak, the spokesman of the ministry of Interior said that the government stance is not to authorize the march.
Khieu Sopheak said: “The refusal to comply and forcing this march, we will consider it as a violation of the law of our country.”
The pro-Hun Sen government organizers
Along with the government refusal to authorize the march on Monday, the reaction committee to protect human rights in Cambodia regrouping 18 organizations, had organized a meeting in the Chenla building, and it invited 600 workers to participate in this event.
Chan Saret, an official with this committee, said: “We do not need to organize any march, we are inviting all unions and worker representatives to participate.”
Chuon Mom Thol, president of the Fedration of Union of Cambodia, a pro-government entity, said that several thousands of workers had already met for the May Day celebration in front of Apsara TV station under the presence of prime minister Hun Sen.
Chuon Mom Thol added: “The factories constitute the rice pot for their owners, they are also the rice pot of the workers.”
Chuon Mom Thol said that 10,000 workers will hold a party on Monday. The celebration will include dancing, motorcycle raffles, and banquets.
Currently [in Cambodia], there are about 350 garment factories and 350,000 workers.
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