Dozens of workers in Preah Sihanouk province marched on the local labour department yesterday after three days of protests against the sacking of seven employees.

Worker representative Keo Srey Pich, 22, one of the dismissed from Vantage River Textile factory in Mittapheap district who have refused a pay-off from the company, said factory management had shown no sign they would change their position.

“The management still holds firm that they will not reinstate us. They said the factory is not able to recruit more workers after they were fired, but in recent days, 30 new workers were recruited,” she said.

Yov Khemara, a representative of the labour department, said the case had been filed with the Arbitration Council.

“But . . . they have to wait for 15 days,” he said.

He added that the provincial governor wants renewed negotiations to end the dispute to be held at 8am this morning.