Unionists Make Last-Minute Appeal on Union Law

Union leaders made an 11th-hour appeal on Tuesday for Prime Minister Hun Sen to address their concerns about a controversial draft trade union law that CPP lawmakers are set to pass next month.

Representatives from 20 unions presented a petition to the Council of Ministers calling on Mr. Hun Sen to reconsider their demands.

 Union leader Ath Thorn leaves the Council of Ministers building in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. (Siv Channa/The Cambodia Daily)

Union leader Ath Thorn leaves the Council of Ministers building in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. (Siv Channa/The Cambodia Daily)

“We think this draft law, only Prime Minister has the ability to view and include our requests,” said Ath Thorn, president of Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union.

Seng Savoeun, an adviser to the Council of Ministers who received the petition, said: “Samdech has an open mind. He has never oppressed union leaders or workers, and he loves all Khmer people.”

However, ruling party lawmaker Chheang Vun said earlier this month there would be no more changes to the law before it was put to a vote on April 4, despite the government conceding it is “not 100 percent perfect.”

During a yearslong drafting process, the government has made significant concessions to unions, but Mr. Vun said further changes to appease workers would risk scaring off investors.

[email protected]

Related Stories

Latest News