“Despite assurances from the government in February, there have since been unprecedented levels of intimidation, violence, and a declining respect for the rule of law, which together constitute a grave attack on union and worker rights.”
The concerted message from global unions and brands to the Cambodian government is clear: political stability and respect for human and worker rights are essential to maintaining sourcing in Cambodia.
In the past few months, striking garment workers have been forced back to work by the military, workers have been summarily dismissed and garment factories have launched a catalogue of lawsuits against union leaders.
Unions and brands also maintain their concern about the continued detention of 21 wage protestors and the fair trial of all 23, as well as the lack of progress in forming a minimum wage determination mechanism.
To date, there have been no independent investigations of workers killed by police in attacks on wage protestors in January, and those affected have not received any form of compensation.
Cambodia was recently given a score of five by the ITUC’s Global Rights Index for trade union rights abuses. Only countries where the rule of law has completely broken down got a lower rating.
For more information, please contact:
Leonie Guguen, Communications Officer, IndustriALL Global Union.
Tel: +41 22 308 50 23
[email protected]
www.industriALL-union.org
Switchboard: +41 22 308 50 50