Garment sector

A UNION leader will today meet with representatives of the Sun Ly Fong garment factory to negotiate the possible reinstatement of three union representatives fired in the wake of a recent series of strikes.

Around 160 workers went on strike on August 17 to demand improved working conditions at the Meanchey district factory. Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled on Thursday that the strike was illegal, and forced the workers to end their protests.

Ien Pov, one of three union leaders fired from the factory, said yesterday that Som Aun, president of the Cambodian Labor Union Confederation, would meet with representatives of the factory today in order to broker a deal to let them return to work.

“Over 200 workers have thumbprinted a request that the factory owner reappoint the three of us to our positions,” he said. He warned that if the three were not welcomed back to work, the strikes would continue. “There will be a strike again if Som Aun’s negotiation ends up in failure,” he said.

Sok Nan, deputy administrative director at the Sun Ly Fong factory, could not be reached for comment yesterday.