Stop harassment of Cambodian garment workers, says TUC

Stop harassment of Cambodian textile workers, says TUC

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has written to the Cambodian Ambassador calling on his Government to stop the harassment of textile workers and to respect the fundamental rights to organise, bargain and strike. Add your voice to the call by signing Amnesty International's urgent action appeal.

28 September 2010

HE Mr Nambora Hor
Ambassador
The Royal Embassy of Cambodia

Dear Ambassador Hor,

Harassment of striking Cambodian workers

On behalf of the TUC, its 58 affiliated trade unions and the 6.2 million workers they represent, I am writing to express my concerns for the safety of several union leaders and activists, including Ath Thorn, Morn Nhim and Tola Moeun, who face possible arrest and legal action as a result of their legitimate work in protecting workers rights in Cambodia.

I urge the Cambodian government to ensure that union leaders, activists and strikers are not subject to harassment, intimidation or threat of arrest and legal action for exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

These fundamental human rights, in particular the right to strike, organise and to collectively bargain, embodied in core ILO conventions 87 and 98, were ratified by Cambodia in 1999. Further, Cambodia's garment sector relies heavily on its ethical reputation, built under the ILO's Better Factories and Better Work programmes, for its sustainability. Your government's actions in repressing legitimate industrial action is seriously eroding this reputation and ultimately putting the garment sector at risk.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan Barber

General Secretary