Following “tough discussions” with Phnom Penh’s deputy governor  yesterday, Angkor Beer promoters agreed to suspend their protest for one week starting today.

“We will give the Phnom Penh municipality one week to resolve the dispute, but if there is no solution we will strike again,” beer promoter Sinoun Sinoun said after a two-hour meeting with deputy governor Pa Socheatvong and other city officials yesterday.

Ou Tep Phally, vice-president of the Cambodian Foods and Service Workers’ Federation, said five beer promoters and one union representative negotiated with officials.

“Pa Socheatvong told the beer girls that he was very determined to solve their dispute with the company as soon as possible,” she said. “After he agreed to this, they agreed to suspend their strike and return to work.”

More than 30 Angkor Beer promoters have been on strike since July 25 in an attempt to pressure their employer, Cambrew Co Ltd, to implement a July 7 ruling by the Arbitration Council. The council found that the company was legally obligated to pay its beer promoters US$2 per day overtime for working on Sundays, and that it would have to pay them retroactively.

Cambrew executive Chou Choung Kim said he could not comment because he did not attend the meeting and referred questions to Cambrew lawyer Sarin Denora, who declined to comment. Pa Socheatvong could not be reached.