Union says govt is ignoring amendments

THE Free Trade Union (FTU) on Monday urged members of the National Assembly to address vital Labour Law amendments that it says have so far been overlooked by government officials since being brought up last month.

Union President Chea Mony said Monday that he had submitted a petition to members of the Assembly from the Sam Rainsy Party in May calling on parliamentarians to ensure better working conditions for workers.

"We found that the parliamentarians and the government have not paid attention to our demands," he said.

"If parliamentarians are concerned about the interests of Cambodian citizens, I hope they are able to debate these worrying issues," he added.

Discrimination targeted

The proposed amendments would allow for freedom of association, propose a proper basic salary for workers, make the arbitrary suspension or firing of workers illegal and give an honorary title to former FTU leader Chea Vichea, who was assassinated in 2004.

SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said Monday that the party would be willing to cooperate with members of the ruling Cambodian People's Party during the upcoming parliamentarian workshops before the issues are debated.

"We hope that we would be able to lobby parliamentarians from the CPP to consider this proposal from the FTU," Son Chhay said.

Lork Kheng, a CPP lawmaker, said that CPP parliamentarians had not yet reviewed the proposal.

"I haven't seen the proposal, so I cannot comment yet."