The Labor Advisory Committee of union representatives, garment manufacturers and government officials will meet Thursday for the first time since July.
But unlike the historic July meeting, which raised the minimum wage for the first time ever from $40 to $45, this meeting is expected to be largely procedural.
The July meeting followed a tumultuous week of strikes in June, involving about 60 factories. Chea Vichea, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said workers plan another series of major strikes next May.
“A tiny strike cannot influence the government,’’ he said.
However, small strikes last week did bring some gains for workers at four garment factories in the Phnom Penh area, according to Chea Vichea and factory workers. All ended peacefully.
At Kennetex Garments in Meanchey district, Chea Vichea said about 700 workers struck Friday to protest the firing of a department manager and because the company was only paying them $30 per month.
On the second day, Chea Vichea said, the company capitulated. The manager was rehired and “the company agreed to pay $40 for the first two months, and $45 in the third month,’’ he said.
At the Ho Hing factory in Tuk Tla commune, Russei Keo district, managers agreed to raise the basic wage from $25 to $45 after workers walked out on Tuesday. The factory employs 700.
About 50 at Hitex Garments in Chak Angre Leu commune, Meanchey district, struck after managers threatened to fire a co-worker. They returned when the company agreed to keep that person and fire an administrator, while also approving meal allowances of 1,000 riel.
Some 200 workers at the Tang Group in Stung Meanchey district struck for more than two days before the company agreed to raise base pay to $45 per month.
