Unionist’s dismissal brings 200 Cambodian garment factory workers to strike

Lay off of an employee who founded a new labour union in Phnom Penh Garment Factory in the Cambodia’s Dangkor district has brought together almost 200 workers to strike. Siko, Warehouse Chief Leng Chandara was dismissed after management learnt that he had founded a branch of National Trade Union Confederation (NTUC) in the factory, said Fa Saly, NTUC’s President. Saly added, “This is discrimination. The factory does not want to have two or three unions.” Nov Thida, a demonstrator said that the only approved union operating at the factory does nothing to help workers with problems. Factory Administrator Chhin Yongfa however claimed that Chandara’s termination was executed because he established a union in the factory without notifying management beforehand, which, Yongfa said, is contrary to the Labour Law.