Occupational safety a concern in Cambodia's garment factories – UN report

(NewDesignWorld Press Center) - Although compliance by Cambodian exporting garment factories with national and international labour standards is generally good, areas such as discrimination and occupational safety and health remain a concern, according to a new United Nations report.

The report on working conditions in Cambodia’s Garment Sector was released today in the capital, Phnom Penh, by the UN International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Better Factories Cambodia programme.

It reflects data compiled over a six-month period from November 2010 to April 2011 from 186 of the 276 factories registered with the programme, which was set up in 2001.

“Compliance levels generally remain high, although some areas of concern remain, particularly regarding discrimination, overtime, and occupational safety and health,” stated a news release issued by the programme.

Strikes decrease to 13% [-Maybe it’s due to Hun Sen regime’s violent repression on striking workers]

Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The International Labor Organization (ILO) issued its 19th semester synthesis report on 04 December 2007 in which it indicated that the number of strikes in all garment factories have decreased from 20 to 13%. The report published in the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper did not indicate the reason for this decrease. The report also indicated that during the 6 months of observation, between 500 to 2,000 workers were hired, and there were also improvements in the working conditions with volunteer overtime work, rather than punishing workers who refused to work overtime. The report indicated that it followed the situations in 81% of the factories where there is a presence of at least one union. The report stated that 7% of the factories prevented the formation of trade unions, and 4% of the factories are involved in discrimination against unions.