Unionist says factory violated the Labour Law

A LABOUR leader filed a complaint Thursday with the Ministry of Labour charging that a Meanchey district garment factory violated labour laws when it closed its doors and laid off workers earlier this month.

Chea Mony, head of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, acknowledged that some laid-off workers had received remuneration but added that the owner of Terraex Knitting and Garment factory had met only a few of the remuneration conditions required by law when 1,700 employees lost their jobs.

"According to Chapter 4, Article 83 of the Labour Law, if a company or factory closes, it must satisfy five conditions, including compensation, bonuses and workers' salaries," he said.

A representative of the factory, who refused to be named, rejected the claims. "Our company closed in early September, and we have paid the workers," the representative said Thursday.

Chhil Sok Khoeun, a representative for the laid-off workers, affirmed the factory's statement, saying: "All workers agreed ... to accept the amounts paid, so it is pointless for Chea Mony to file a complaint."