Threats of strike from about 500 employees of the Tropicana Casino in Poipet were quieted yesterday as workers secured a small victory after management agreed to improve worker conditions and enter talks over their sacked union leader.

Morm Rithy, president of union Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers’ Federation, said casino officials conceded to 18 of 21 grievances listed in their negotiations including 44 annual days of leave, healthcare for employees and an end to forced overtime.

The remaining three points, including the reinstatement of former union leader Sath Ser and two supporters who walked out of work in his defence, will be discussed in a meeting with Tropicana management and the CTSWF on September 22.

“Most of the demands seem to be agreed to but [management] is still holding out in terms of the union leader reinstatement,” said Dave Welsh, country director of the American Center for International Labor Solidarity.

Despite the efforts of the provincial Labour Department and the Ministry of Labour asking the casino to allow Ser to return to work, Tropicana has refused to allow him back.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mom Kunthear at [email protected]

With assistance from Rachel Will