Striking workers at Grace Sun Garment factory on National Route 2 will likely return to work today after factory management promised them Monday not to abuse protesting workers, according to the Free Trade Union of Kingdom of Cambodia.
About 200 workers continued to strike on Monday, demanding the management retract the two-month suspension of a factory’s union leader who workers said was unlawfully suspended last week. But the management has said the suspension is legitimate because the union leader frequently skipped work for union activities. The union leader is being paid a full salary and a bonus during the suspension.
Chea Vichea, president of the free trade union, said the management guaranteed that the factory would not fire or abuse any of the protesters and would pay a full monthly salary.
“The issue is very minor,” said Chea Vichea. “Continuing on strike would not benefit workers. They should compromise and return to work.”
Cambodia’s garment industry has been rocked by several strikes in the last year as the country’s labor movement becomes more outspoken. Previous strikes have won a series of concessions from factory management.
