The Arbitration Council Foundation yesterday ruled that a Phnom Penh garment factory that announced it was closing for a month must pay employees 100 per cent of the wages they would have earned during that period.

Ocean Garment factory announced on May 24 it would close until June 26, telling workers they would be paid $15 during that time, causing protest and a filing with the Arbitration Council. Ocean deputy general manager Salayddin Ahmed – who could not be reached yesterday – later said the factory would remain closed until at least July 9.

“The Arbitration Council has decided it will order the employer to pay full wages and benefits to workers during the time the workers were suspended,” a copy of the ruling obtained by the Post reads.

Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said he would meet with workers and discuss a strategy in case Ocean, which remains closed, rejects the decision.