Persistent problems with payrolls—including late pay, underpayment, and violating the law on overtime payments—continue to plague the Cambodian garment industry, according to a UN survey of working conditions released Friday.
The survey, by the UN’s International Labor Organization, was the second to be completed in a three-year project to monitor working conditions in the industry.
The factories got a clean bill of health in several important areas. Monitors found no evidence of forced labor or discrimination, little evidence of child labor and only a few episodes of sexual harassment.
But the payroll problems appear widespread and deep-rooted, leading one exasperated labor expert to say, “I don’t know why they just won’t pay the workers what they’re supposed to.”
The first survey of 30 factories began last June and noted payroll problems and anti-union activities. The new survey of 30,207 workers at 34 factories found less union-bashing, although anti-union activity was noted in seven factories.
Nearly half of the factories surveyed had no unions. In three factories, workers said union organizers had been fired without cause. The report also criticized workers for organizing illegal strikes.
Most factories provided little information to workers about pay procedures. For example, the $45 minimum wage was posted in only one of the 34 factories, while in 27 factories, workers were not sure how their pay was calculated.
In 30 factories, the report states, “there were indications that workers did not receive the wages they were entitled to.” In some cases, workers got probation pay of only $30 after their probation period ended. In nearly half the factories, workers were not paid what they should have been for overtime and meal allowances.
Monitors also recorded instances of illegal overtime (more hours than the law allows) and refusal to pay earned bonuses.
Workers in 31 factories reported no problems with sexual harassment, while in two factories, one worker each reported problems. In a third factory, eight workers said they had been harassed.
Thirty-three factories had no underage workers, while in one factory, four 15-year-olds were found to have submitted doctored family books. The legal age for factory work is 16.
By Jody McPhillips
the cambodia daily
Persistent problems with payrolls—including late pay, underpayment, and violating the law on overtime payments—continue to plague the Cambodian garment industry, according to a UN survey of working conditions released Friday.
The survey, by the UN’s International Labor Organization, was the second to be completed in a three-year project to monitor working conditions in the industry.
The factories got a clean bill of health in several important areas. Monitors found no evidence of forced labor or discrimination, little evidence of child labor and only a few episodes of sexual harassment.
But the payroll problems appear widespread and deep-rooted, leading one exasperated labor expert to say, “I don’t know why they just won’t pay the workers what they’re supposed to.”
The first survey of 30 factories, begun last June, had also noted payroll problems and anti-union activities. The new survey of 30,207 workers at 34 factories found less union-bashing, although anti-union activity was noted in seven factories.
Nearly half of the factories surveyed had no unions. In three factories, workers said union organizers had been fired without cause.
The report also criticized workers for organizing illegal strikes.
Most factories provided little information to workers about pay procedures. For example, the $45 minimum wage was posted in only one of the 34 factories, while in 27 factories, workers were not sure how their pay was calculated.
In 30 factories, the report states, “there were indications that workers did not receive the wages they were entitled to.” In some cases, workers got probation pay ($30) past the probation period, while in nearly half the factories, workers were not paid what they should have been in overtime and meal allowances.
Monitors also recorded instances of illegal overtime (more hours than the law allows) and refusal to pay earned bonuses, like the $5 monthly incentive for perfect attendance, or $2 per month seniority pay. Some workers didn’t get as much money as they should have for working Sundays or holidays.
Workers in 31 factories reported no problems with sexual harassment, while in two factories, one worker each reported problems. In a third factory, eight workers said they had been harassed.
Thirty-three factories had no underage workers, while in one factory, four 15-year-olds were found to have submitted doctored family books. The legal age for factory work is 16.
