"Garment workers blocked from rallying in Phnom Penh", 24 December 2019

Nearly 500 garment factory workers in Kandal province ... were prevented from rallying in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s home in Phnom Penh.

They have been rallying in front of their factory over missing wages and benefits since December 14, when their employer Sees Global Cambodia Limited shuttered operations.

They planned to hand a petition to Mr Hun Sen, but their convoy of six trucks and many motorcycles was stopped in Kandal’s Mok Kampoul district.

Roem Tharith, a union official with Cambodian Youth Power Union League, said the 500 garment workers wanted Mr Hun Sen’s help, but local authorities told them not to go to Phnom Penh.

“When the workers were moving, the authorities blocked them from going,” Mr Tharith said...

The workers in the petition wrote: “Workers of Sees Global have daily problems and the solution is taking a long time. We suggest that Prime Minister Hun Sen…intervene and give us an advance on our missing wages to help workers.”

Phon Rat, a worker, ... said most of the employees were working there for more than nine years.

Ms Rat said many of the workers did not receive their benefits and wages when the factory shuttered its doors.

... CYPUL president Seang Rithy ... said the workers will meet local officials and company representatives soon.

“Now that the workers have returned, we will have a negotiation meeting,” Mr Rithy said.

Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour ... said his ministry has received the petition...