Hundreds fired after garment strike ends

Management at one of Asia’s largest garment producers yesterday fired at least 600 employees, days after thousands returned to work following a two-week strike.

Most of the workers fired by SL Garment Processing (Cambodia) Ltd – which supplies Gap, Levi’s and H&M – were members of the Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (C.CAWDU), said Chhin Sao, SL’s administrative manager. The 600 to 700 terminations came after the employees refused to return to work, he said.

But Kong Athit, C.CAWDU’s vice president, said the company is targeting union members.

“They want to have their own administrative power without consulting with a real union,” Athit said.

SL’s short notice for the firings and intended severance pay, which a C.CAWDU member said only includes last wages and annual bonuses, appear to violate the Kingdom’s labour law, said Moen Tola, head of the labour program at the Community Legal Education Center.

C.CAWDU is currently attempting to negotiate with SL, Athit said. If efforts are unsuccessful today, SL workers will begin demonstrating again.

Contact authors: Mom Kunthear and Sean Teehan

MOST VIEWED

Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter
Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was
Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia
A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication
Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills
A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,
Honda shutters Siem Reap football club
Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said
Hun Sen warns of regional tensions
ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not
PM declares ASEAN Para Games open
The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans