Press Releases
Global Union Urges Reinstatement of Cambodian garment workers
Following last month’s strike by some 200,000 Cambodian garment workers in support of demands for a living wage, the Global Union representing workers in the sector has welcomed calls by the government for striking workers to be reinstated and for charges against them to be dropped.
The strike was called off after the government called the parties to the table, but hundreds of workers were then suspended or dismissed or faced legal charges filed by their employers in violation of the right of freedom of association. Even after a memorandum of understanding was signed between the partners over 300 workers continued to be barred from returning to work.
Says Patrick Itschert, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation: “We strongly believe in the added-value of sound industrial relations and social dialogue. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the partners on September 28 is an important milestone in that direction and must now be fully implemented”.
The ITGLWF has intervened with the government, the employers’ association GMAC and brands sourcing from Cambodia to ensure that workers are allowed to return to work on October 11, when factories reopen after several days of P’Chum Ben religious celebrations, and that the charges against them are dropped. The ITGLWF has also urged all concerned engage in good faith negotiations over benefits.
