"Unions demand compensation, intervention amid pandemic", 04 May 2020

A group of unions sent a joint letter ... to Prime Minister Hun Sen suggesting the government ensure that furloughed employees receive 60 percent of their wages during COVID-19.

The joint letter signed by the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) and the Cambodian Tourism and Service Worker’s Federation – all of which represent 226 local unions with 100,000 workers from eight sectors in the country – was sent ... in conjunction with the Labour Day.

The unions said the government must ensure suspended workers receive 20 percent of their wages from the government and 40 percent from their respective employers.

The unions also suggested the government increase the minimum wage from $190 to $250 for garment workers and enforce fixed wages to workers in the construction, tourist, services, transportation and other sectors.

They also asked for the government’s intervention in cases where employers shut down operations or terminate workers to avoid remuneration of compensation and additional benefits to workers.

CLC president Ath Thorn said ... that since February, the labour sector has been reeling from a series of economic blows spurred by the EBA withdrawal and COVID-19...

Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said, in light of the economic downturns from the pandemic, top brands must increase the minimum wage by 40 percent for workers in the Cambodian supply chain.

Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions, C.CAWDU, CUMW and Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia said they need all brands to honour all placed orders, whether completed or in production...