The Free Trade Union (FTU) yesterday asked the Labour Ministry to take legal action against social media celebrity Thy Sovantha and student activist Srey Chamroeun for claiming to represent unions and workers at a protest.

On Sunday, the duo and 100 garment workers took to Freedom Park to protest CNRP leader Sam Rainsy’s pitch to the EU to put pressure on Cam-bodian garment industry imports to effect change.

FTU deputy president Man Seng Hak said the two had violated articles 80 and 81 of the Trade Union Law, which prevents people from operating a union without registration. As evidence, they cited letters sent to City Hall requesting permission for the rally.

Sovantha’s letter states: “We are representatives of unions and workers from about 10 factories which have 110,000 employees.” Sovantha and Chamroeun said they had not claimed to be representing workers or unions.