About 300 workers at a footwear factory in the capital’s Choam Chao commune in Por Senchey district went on strike yesterday, demanding the reinstatement of three union representatives and improvement of their working conditions.

Cambodian Labour Union Federation president Sin Thim said he and two colleagues had been fired last week as factory management opposed their plan to establish a union.

“The factory discriminated against the establishment of the union to protect workers from violation, worker oppression and abuse of worker rights,” Sin Thim said.  

In addition to the re-hiring of the three men, factory worker Mom Mary, 25, said the workers were requesting that the factory comply with a list of 16 demands concerned with bettering working conditions.  

Magnate Footwear Co. Ltd representative Than said factory management would negotiate with the union representatives and find a resolution.

Va Yuwathana, president of the Office of Labour Dispute at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said he would invite both sides to settle matters at the ministry this morning.