Cambodian trade union leaders at risk

Urgent Action: Cambodian trade union leaders at risk

Several union leaders and activists organising a nationwide strike of garment factory workers in Cambodia are at risk of arrest and legal action. The TUC is supporting Amnesty International's urgent action calling on the Cambodian government to stop its harassment and to respect freedom of association.

The five day national strike was called by a coalition of garment industry unions in protest at a new minimum wage set for the garment and footwear industry. Union officials say that 200,000 workers around the country joined the strike.

On 15 September, the Prime Minister authorized the police and local authorities to begin unspecified legal action against strike leaders. The courts are reported to have warrants ready for the arrest of nine individuals for incitement, including Ath Thorn, the President of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) (above left), Morn Nhim (f), President of the Cambodian National Confederation (CNC) and Tola Moeun, Head of the Labour Rights Programme at CLEC Community Legal Education Centre.

Although the strike was temporarily suspended on 16 September following an offer of further negotiations, it is feared that the threat of legal action, including charges of incitement, against union leaders and strikers remains.

Please sign Amnesty International's appeal calling on the Cambodian authorities respect the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Background

At least 45,000 garment factory workers lost their jobs during 2009 as a result of the global economic crisis, and a number of companies reduced salaries.

In July the Labour Advisory Committee (LAC), comprised of government officials, industry representatives, and some unions, agreed to an increase in the minimum wage from US$ 56 to US$ 61 per month, which would not be reviewed again until 2014. The CLC and CNC unions are calling for an increase to US$ 93 per month, as a more realistic wage to cover basic needs and living expenses for workers and their families. The strike was set to last from 13 to 18 September, but is now suspended until government-brokered talks take place on 27 September.

The authorities increasingly use the courts to stifle the legitimate work of human rights defenders. Individuals may be charged with incitement or other spurious offences. Freedom of expression is also undermined by charges of disinformation and the use of criminal defamation law suits, the former carrying a custodial sentence.

Union leaders and activists are vulnerable to attacks, as demonstrated by the killing of prominent union leader Chea Vichea in January 2004, and two other union officials, Ros Sovannarith in May 2004, and Hy Vuthy in February 2007. Perpetrators of the killings of Chea Vichea and Hy Vuthy have not been brought to justice.