"Zhen Tai Garment Factory Workers Urge Speedy Settlement of NSSF Payment Dispute", 5 August 2024

Workers at Zhen Tai Garment Cambodia Co Ltd … accused the company owner of embezzling workers’ pensions. They have been waiting for 11 months for a settlement.

Mech Sienghai, 38, told … that she has been working at Zhen Tai for 12 years, earning $250 a month. The Chinese-owned factory employs 1,300 workers.

…, the company deducted $5 to $6 from each worker’s salary as a contribution to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), but it was alleged that only $2 was paid to the fund.

She explained that the workers complained to the company because they noticed that their NSSF showed insufficient contributions although they earned between $250 and $300. They later learned that the company declared that their salary was 300,000 riel (around $75) to 400,000 riel (around $100)…

She felt that the company had not paid enough money to the NSSF, causing her and other workers to lose a lot of the benefits, such as during childbirth or compensation in the event of an accident at work. Only 70% of the benefits are not sufficient, she remarked…

Kem Sophen, president of Cambodian Workers’ Spirit Union at the garment factory, said he submitted a letter to the NSSF under the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training … to look into the matter. But no solution was offered…

Meanwhile, Zhen Tai administrative director Bo Bunly said the factory was acting in accordance with the labor law and procedures. It includes the meeting at the ministry … with the workers’ representatives.

“There was no solution for the meeting on the day because we will wait to see how the Labor Ministry will resolve it,” he said.