International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
CSI Online
Cambodia: ITUC Expresses Concerns for Trade Union Rights in the Garment Sector
Brussels, 30 April 2012 (CSI Online): For years, trade unions and the workers they represent in the garment sector have
been subject to numerous serious violations of their rights. Excessive hours of work and poor working conditions have
led to several episodes of mass fainting. Collective bargaining agreements are being breached, and employers are
refusing to negotiate with certain independent unions. Workers are fired for anti-union motives and are not reinstated,
despite binding arbitration awards in their favour. The industry has shifted to using short, fixed duration contracts in
an effort to create employment instability and undermine the exercise of fundamental rights. This year, workers have
also been the victims of violence, including a shooting outside of a garment factory earlier this year; the perpetrator
has been charged on a minor offense yet still remains free.
As May Day approaches, Cambodian unions are mobilising to demand respect on the job. The International Trade Union
Confederation (ITUC) fully supports Cambodian trade unions in their efforts to overcome these many challenges.
At the same time, the ITUC is appalled to learn that GMAC (Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Cambodia), the members
of whom are responsible for many of the labour violations in the garment industry, has lashed out at the workers rather
than engaging in good faith dialogue.
Sharan Burrow, the ITUC General Secretary, reacted, stating “It is simply unacceptable that employers are calling on the
authorities to ‘crack down’ on legitimate strikes and worse that they are publicly demonising independent unions who
have had the courage to stand up for their members and demand respect on the job.” The ITUC has launched an urgent call
for mature industrial relations in Cambodia, as genuine dialogue with the workers is the only way forward. Decent work
and social dialogue are the pillars for sustainable development and social peace.
The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 308 national affiliates.
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