About 40 representatives of some 700 strikers from a Phnom Penh garment factory that allegedly fired scores of workers two weeks ago delivered a petition to staff at Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cabinet yesterday, demanding their reinstatement.

Protesters from Meroson (Cambodia) Co Ltd in the capital’s Prek Pnov district demonstrated near the premier’s house yesterday before delivering their petition to his Cabinet. The action came after talks between worker representatives and management – which were mediated by the Ministry of Labour – resulted in no conciliation, said Phay Ra, 36, a worker representative involved in talks.

“Forty workers have been dismissed already, and [Meroson] plans to fire hundreds more,” Ra said yesterday. “Workers who have been dismissed since 2011 have not received proper pensions or compensation.”

Meroson did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

In addition to the rehiring of the 40 workers, the petition demanded the firing of an administrator known as Chhay, who Meroson employees say is notorious for sacking workers at will without any prior

warning.