The outcome of a government meeting this morning on the garment industry's minimum wage will play a part in determining when nine unions will take to the streets for another mass strike, Cambodian Confederation of Unions president Rong Chhun said yesterday.

“We will strike as soon as possible and are now awaiting the result of this meeting,” Chhun said.

The CCU leader added that workers could strike again as soon as this week, and the nine unions will distribute 50,000 leaflets outlining their intentions and urging them to join.

“We demand the government release the 23 detainees [arrested on January 2], increase the minimum wage to $160 per month, urge officials to properly investigate the deadly shootings [on January 3] and some other points.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen assigned one of his deputies, Keat Chhon, to head a committee to examine the minimum wage today at the offices of the Council for the Development of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.