In a statement released on Monday, the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) condemned union officials leading a strike at a Phnom Penh garment factory.

Union leaders at the Collective Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW) have been assisting workers at Akeentex Pte Ltd’s branches in Por Sen Chey and Meanchey districts, who began striking almost two weeks ago.

GMAC insists that strikers are demanding Akeentex stop their policy of signing workers to long-term employment contracts, and instead use short-term contracts.

“Undetermined Duration Contract is a contract that ensures the job security of workers for the long term, as the workers can work in the factory/enterprise without worrying about non-renewal of their contract like the use of Fixed Duration Contract,” the statement says.

But CUMW president Pav Sina, who is still aiding Akeentex strikers despite a court order for employees to return to work, said GMAC’s claims are off-base.

“The workers are not demanding the company change from undetermined duration contracts to fixed duration contracts; so what GMAC has accused us of is completely wrong.”