A group of international unions is organising a Global Day of Action later this month to show support for Cambodian garment workers’ demands for a $177 monthly minimum wage.

IndustriALL Global Union, the ITUC and UNI Global Union are backing a national campaign, organised by Cambodian unions, by calling for affiliates to gather outside Cambodian embassies on September 17 and present a letter to the ambassador, or to send it directly to the government, demanding the wage hike.

The “major objective is to ensure living wages for all workers in the global garment industry”, said Jyrki Raina, general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union. Cambodia’s image has been “tarnished by poverty wages, long working hours … and deadly violence. A number of brands have reduced their orders … because of the instability caused by the lack of a functioning bargaining system.

“We talk about win-win solutions, because living wages will increase purchasing power, economic growth and help create new jobs,” he added.