Two protests by garment factory workers in Phnom Penh yesterday achieved very different outcomes.

One strike will continue today, but the other ended when company management agreed to workers’ demands.

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Almost 400 workers from the In Han Sung factory, in Por Senchey district’s Chaom Chao commune, protested in front of the factory yesterday morning and will be there again today demanding the reinstatement of their union representative, who was fired last month.

The workers also requested that the factory administration comply with six points to improve working conditions.

Bun Sokha, 27, the Collective Union of Movement of Workers treasurer at the factory, said his contract had been terminated prematurely and unfairly.  

“I signed the contract with the company for six months, but I have worked for only four months, so they stopped my work without reason and without paying me,” he said, adding that he wanted to return to work.

Among the workers’ demands  was the firing of factory administrative manager Seoung Savorn, because they felt he looked down on them and threatened them whenever they protested, Bun Sokha said. 

Seoung Savorn said the company had terminated Bun Sokha’s contract one month early, but had already paid him compensation.

“The company stopped his contract one month early because he did not respect the company’s internal regulations and was passive when working,” he said.

Va Yuvavathana, director of the labour dispute resolution office at the Labour Ministry, said it would send the case to the Arbitration Council if a resolution could not be found.

About 200 workers from the Shing Honda factory, in Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune, ended their two-day strike yesterday when factory management agreed to meet their demands.

Din Sam Ath, president of the Cambodian Federation of Labour Unions, said the company would comply with the 12 points set out by workers, including an additional US$5 for health care, putting an end to overtime work and providing 2,000 riel ($0.50) each day for lunch.

Due to an editorial error, the original posting of this story incorrectly identified the striking factory as Hwa Shin Print. The correct name of the factory is In Han Sung. The Post apologizes for the error.