Wage demands

More than a thousand garment workers went on strike yesterday morning to demand a minimum wage increase and better working conditions, following the failure of minimum wage negotiations between unions and employers on Monday.

Some 600 workers in Kandal province yesterday protested in front of the Sixplus Industry factory, an Adidas supplier, for a monthly minimum wage increase from $61 to $120 and day-off benefits, among other demands, said Free Trade Union officer Yann Roth Keopisey.

The factory’s administrative officer, who declined to be named, said yesterday that the employer had agreed to increase workers’ minimum wage to $71 per month but could not fully accept workers’ demands. She added that workers said they would strike again today.

About 1,000 workers at the E Cheng Cambodia Cooperation factory in Takeo province also protested yesterday to demand a minimum wage increase to $80 and other benefits.