Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Street cleaners strike for $150

Street cleaners strike for $150

Two schoolchildren walk past a mound of rubbish at Kapko market yesterday afternoon in Phnom Penh
Two schoolchildren walk past a mound of rubbish at Kapko market yesterday afternoon in Phnom Penh. Vireak Mai

Street cleaners strike for $150

More than 1,000 sanitation workers employed by the garbage collection company Cintri were on strike yesterday, demanding their bosses increase their wage to $150 per month, representatives said.

Cintri, a subsidiary of the Canadian Firm Cintec, signed a 50-year contract in 2002 that made it solely responsible for collecting and disposing of Phnom Penh’s waste.

But about 1,200 of its 1,400 employees – which include waste collectors, equipment repairmen and street cleaners – began striking on Sunday night, demanding a pay increase, a health bonus, overtime for working on Sundays and national holidays off.

After gathering outside Cintri’s main garage in Meanchey district in protest on Sunday, negotiations came to a standstill yesterday morning, Prack Sokha, a representative for the strikers said.

“This morning we negotiated with the company director, City Hall and district officials about our demands, but we did not get any results,” Sokha said, adding that Cintri had offered workers a $15 pay raise that was subsequently rejected.

Street cleaners make a base salary of $65, garbage collectors $77, and repairmen and drivers are paid $110, according to Cintri employees.

If demands continue to be denied, strikers would be willing to compromise, Sokha said.

“We will accept if the company increases street cleaners’ pay to $100, garbage collectors’ to $120 and $130 for drivers and repairman,” he added.

But according to Cintri director Seng Savy, employees are simply asking for too much.

“We can only increase their wages by $15,” Savy said. “What they are demanding is too much, and what we get from citizens is too little.”

Ith Sopheak, a garbage collector in Russey Keo district, said yesterday that a health bonus was reasonable considering that he worked with trash for a living.

“We will continue striking until our demands are all met,” he said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AMELIA WOODSIDE

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.