Workers to go on mass-strike for hike in minimum wage

via Khmer NZ

August 17, 2010 (Cambodia)

Reports say that, over 60,000 workers engaged in the garment industry, have undertook to observe a week-long strike next month, as the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia have refused their demand to renegotiate the new minimum wage structure devised for the industry.

Ath Thun, Head of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, recently at a meeting held at Meanchey district said that, the workers’ leaders got thumb impressions of over 60,000 workers who pledged to be part of the week-long strike to be held next month.

He further said that, though they had obeyed the rules, the authorities have rebuffed to get into any further discussions with them. Thus, they have resolved to go on a week-long strike since September 13. Thun further added that, they seek justice for workers who although, work hard but are paid too little for their work.

Labour Advisory Committee, a body of government officials and industry representatives, last month opted to hike the minimum wages for garment workers by US $5 per month to $61 and decided to implement the new wage structure from October this year. But the worker’s leaders called this wage to be inadequate and demanded to raise it to $93 per month and that too with additional allowances.

Thun constitutes of a part of a group of 13 trade leaders who passed on a letter to GMAC and the Ministry of Labour at the start of the month, demanding them to carry out fresh negotiations for wages.

However, there has been no response from the side of the authorities. If discussions are carried out by the Ministry, then the due strike could be avoided.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India