Thursday, July 20, 2006

Workers Less Costly Than Corruption

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Letter to the Editor
The Cambodia Daily


During the recent forum between private business and the government a request was made to allow factories to employ workers at night without paying them double their minimum wage.

I totally disagree with this request.

The current base salary of garment workers is around $45 a month, which is not much to keep up with inflation and increasing prices. There are several other ways to attract foreign direct investment create jobs and keep the garment industry competitive other than reducing night shift wages from double the minimum wage.

Implementing good governance by government officials and erasing corruption would be better than reducing garment worker night work wages.

A good government should do everything to increase workers' wage rather than reduce them. Don't cut the foot to fit the shoe, particularly when the shoe's size is still bigger than foot.

Thina Lee,
Phnom Penh

No comments: