Labour dispute

The president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions said yesterday that he would defy a municipal order banning employees from June Textile Factory from marching to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house to seek resolution in a labour dispute.

“I must march ... I just want to seek a solution for workers,” CCU president Rong Chhun said.

According to a report from a City Hall meeting yesterday, CCU and 350 workers from the factory in Sen Sok district, which burned down in March, were only permitted to gather at Freedom Park.

It also stated that 10 representatives of June Textile workers could present a petition to Hun Sen’s cabinet. “If the … [CCU] does not follow the spirit of the meeting, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall will take legal action,” the report said.

Violence broke out when police blocked a march of June Textile workers around the capital in May, who had gathered to demand higher compensation than was offered by the company.

Taing Kisay, a representative from June Textile, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, in a joint letter on Monday, CCU and the Cambodian National Labour Confederation urged June Textile Company to pay compensation to employees in accordance with an Arbitration Council order issued on June 17.