The National Election Committee (NEC) has thrown cold water on a request by the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) that it permit garment workers extra time off to register in their home provinces without receiving a pay cut, according to a letter posted on the NEC’s Facebook page yesterday.

The letter, dated September 21, notes that workers will already be off from September 30 to October 3. “So workers have enough time to register where they want to vote,” the letter reads.

Registration stations, however, will be closed on the 30th and 1st.

Ath Thorn, president of CLC, said he was unhappy with the decision but would encourage as many workers as possible to register during the holiday.

It is difficult for many workers to register near their workplaces because they lack the necessary documents, he added.