A union member who says he was beaten unconscious during a garment factory strike last month was yesterday summonsed to Kandal military police headquarters to respond to allegations he himself was violent and damaged company property during the dispute.

Ra Sambath, a workers’ representative of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union at the Master & Frank factory in Ang Snuol district, said he and two fellow union members would be questioned tomorrow after their bosses complained to military police.

“I don’t know why the company is trying to sue us,” he said. “I just received the summons letter yesterday from provincial military police officials. I was surprised to see the complaint against us related to intentionally damaging private property and using violence against factory officials.”

Sambath, who said the factory’s security guards and district police officers beat him unconscious during the strike on December 26, said he had filed a complaint to the provincial court because he was the victim not the perpetrator of violence.

“What the company accused us of is completely false. They have money, so they can do whatever they want,” he said.

More than 300 workers have been protesting at the factory in the past two weeks to demand bosses reinstate 10 co-workers they say were dismissed without reason.

Seang Rithy, administrative manager at Master & Frank, confirmed the company had taken action against the three workers.

“Yes, we’re really suing them,” he said.

Military police officials couldn't be reached to explain why they were handling the case.

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