Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday requested prosecuted union leaders to submit relevant documents to the Labour and Justice ministries in order for the two institutions to work alongside the court in resolving their cases.

Speaking in front of nearly 18,000 workers from 12 factories in Kandal province, he said: “This is part of ensuring workers’ rights, including political rights of our unions.”

Hun Sen urged the court to accelerate their proceedings in resolving the cases, “so as to not let them prolong until next year”.

“To prevent riots from happening, there is no better option than having a dialogue. The option of dismissing unions is not a good choice as it only intensifies tensions further,” said Hun Sen.

Currently, six union leaders are facing long-standing charges.

They were sued by factory owners and government officials over intent to commit violence and other charges stemming from nationwide strikes over minimum wages between 2013 and last year.

Among them is Yang Sophorn, of the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions, who applauded Hun Sen’s recognition of the unions’ efforts in defending rights of workers.