Former bus drivers are set to stage a protest today outside Phnom Penh Sorya Transportation Company in the capital’s Daun Penh district, calling on its management to respect an arbitration ruling to reinstate most of them.

"The company tried to suspend the negotiations many times, and we often allowed them to, but this time we cannot do that anymore," he said.

The dispute began in April, when the 17 drivers were sacked for attempting to form a union. The protesters filed suit with Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which referred the case to the Arbitration Council.

The council ruled that 15 of the workers should be reinstated and the other two compensated for lost earnings.

Sorya Transportation general manager Chan Sophanna said: "They should think about the other 400 workers . . . if their demonstration will affect [them]".