Garment Strike Ends Quietly

A two-day garment factory strike ended Thursday when company officials at Hana Gar­ment in Ang Snuol district, Kan­dal prov­ince, reached a compromise agree­­­ment with the strikers, union and company officials re­ported.

The workers demanded negotiations on an annual bonus, along with four additional points: Im­proved conditions for intern work­ers, guaranteed sick leave without pay cuts if workers show a notice from their doctors for days missed, no forced overtime, and a salary increase for a special worker-assistance position.

“Now, garment factory officials have agreed to pay the salaries and annual bonuses for workers,” said Chea Vichea, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

About half of the more than 600 workers at the factory went on strike Wednesday, Chea Vichea said.

Company officials said about 100 people were on strike and protesting in front of the garment factory.

The workers met with Sim Chhun, the assistant chairman of the company, and also the chairman of the company to list their demands.

The agreement still allows company officials to cut the workers’ annual bonuses for days they miss work, even for absences such as weddings and leaves to look after sick parents, Chea Vichea said.

“I expect that tomorrow all workers who conducted the strike will return to work,” he said.

Em Sary, a representative of the workers’ union, said some of the employees were still disappointed with company officials after the negotiations.

“The workers conducted the strike properly. Why did the company cut workers’ bonuses?” Em Sary said, adding the planned cuts were as high as $7 a month.

The strike followed Cambodian law, according to Chea Vichea.

“The strike was not wrong be­cause the workers had informed the company officials seven days before they conducted the strike,” he said.

 

Related Stories

Latest News