Global Union Targets Cambodia Labour Law Amendments

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The garment and textile industry is complex and its global structure means there are common interests. In fact there is a Global Union which is technically named the International Textile, Garment, and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF). The purpose of the workers organisation is to monitor global labour practices and protect worker rights. As such the union keeps close track of changes in laws which impact working conditions.

Those t-shirts, dresses, and trousers you purchase are made around the world under varying conditions. Recently the Global Union has been tracking changes to Cambodian labour laws which will extend the use of short-term employee contracts. These laws increasing the use of temporary employment arrangements are seen by the Global Union as detrimental to worker rights.

The General Secretary of the ITGLWF is Neil Kearney. He was quoted as saying, “The widespread use of temporary contracts in Cambodia has had a very negative impact on worker rights in our sector. Such contracts represent a major obstacle to the right of freedom of association as they enable employers to get rid of trade union leaders with easy by simply failing to renew their temporary contracts. In addition, contracts of less than one year allow employers to avoid key obligations to workers, including maternity and sick leave.”

The Global Union has pointed out that Cambodia could hurt its competitive status by converting to temporary contracts. The use of temporary workers has been on the rise in other countries too as a cost cutting measure. But the ITGLW believes the use short-term contracted employees is socially irresponsible and deprives workers of their rights and of employment security.

Kearney said, “As the current worldwide recession continues to deepen and brands and retailers are forced to cut back their orders, many are looking to give priority to suppliers that perform the best, both on production criteria and on social compliance.”