"Phnom Penh garment workers protest hike in rent", 23 April 2019

More than 100 garment workers living within Canadia Industrial Park took to the streets in protest ... after learning that their landlords had increased the price of rent by $10... Hean Sivilai, a tenant, ... said there are nearly 1,000 rooms in the area, and that rent ranges from $35 to $55 per month, depending on the size of the room...

“When they increased rent by $5, we did not protest,” he said. “But last time, they increased rent by $10 per room. Our wages are not that much.” The minimum wage for garment factory workers increases annually. Earlier this year, unions, government officials and employers agreed that the minimum wage for textile, garment and footwear industry workers should be $182 per month for 2019.

Mr Sivilai noted that the tenants only protested after they were done with their shifts at their respective factories.

“Our protest did not affect our shifts,” Mr Sivilai said. “If the owner does not find a solution for us, then we will protest again after work.”

Yang Sophorn, president of the Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union, said the increase affected the garment workers because they do not make enough money each month. “I think that the increase affects the finances of their families,” Ms Sophorn said. “Their wages are not enough.”…

 Kang Vong, chief of Chom Chao I commune, said he told the tenants to stop protesting and return to work.

“The authorities are finding a solution for them,” Mr Vong said. “Wait for the result.”

Landlords could not be reached for comment.