Builders continue to strike in Kandal

via Khmer NZ

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 15:01 Kim Yuthana

ABOUT 40 workers continued to strike in front of a construction firm in Kandal province yesterday, demanding that their employers reinstate 27 workers who they say were fired for trying to organise a union.

Chea Sokyeak, one of the striking builders, said his colleagues planned to carry the protest into a third day today.

“We will not give up our actions as long as there is no result,” Chea Sokyeak said.

The protesters say the company, KC Gecin Enterprises, fired 27 workers last Friday because they were trying to form a union. Co-workers began demonstrating outside the company’s headquarters on National Road 2 on Monday, demanding that the 27 be reinstated. Police officers tore up the protesters’ signs during the protest Monday, though yesterday’s demonstrations were largely peaceful.

Right to organise

Sok Sovanndeth, director of the Cambodian National Federation of Building and Wood Workers, accused the firm of contravening the Kingdom’s labour laws by sacking the 27 employees.

“The company seems to look down on and discriminate against the workers, since this dismissal took place without any explanation to the workers,” he said. “They violated the labour laws.”

Nuo Nim, director of Phnom Penh’s municipal Department of Labour and Vocational Training, said authorities were powerless to intervene in the dispute if the company and workers refused to meet halfway. Company officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.