Press Release: Cambodia arrests Coalition of Apparel Workers Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) condemns the temporary unjust detainment of our union staff, Kun Sokhom, and 3 other workers: Mon Sareiam, Kang Savuth, Bean Sarim, and a driver, Net Pisey by the Court of First Instance in Kampong Cham. In reference to the complaint of Juhui Footwear Factory Co. Ltd and local authorities, the labour dispute in the factory has been ongoing for two months due to worker rights violations such as a group of 30-60 workers only having one card to go to toilet and each worker is only allowed 2-5 minutes. The company embezzled money from the wages of 1000 workers so the AC ordered the company to refund these monies to the workers but the company did not implement the AC ruling and moreover put pressure to the workers and discriminated against C.CAWDU and also violated workers rights and other working conditions. Due to those violations, the employees informed to protest by law but the company still has not settled and implemented the award by law. On the other hand, Kampong Cham Court released a decision to charge workers with wildcat strike. With the mediation the workers returned to work in accordance with the court injunction without any settlement so the workers came out to strike again when the company has not only failed to settle the workers demands but also unjustly dismissed the workers who participated in the strike. This case directly violates the right to strike of the workers as stipulated in Cambodian Labour Law Article 333. As a result of such injustice, the workers continued their strike until 25th October, 2014 at which point the local authorities cut off the electrical cord of the microphone and pulled the hair of a female worker and slapped and kicked her, etc. Suddenly, chaos ensued in front of the factory when 200 people armed with metal batons came from the factory chasing and fighting workers until they are outside the factory fence. According to worker testimony, the group of people was led by unions from inside who are involved with the company and some bad local authorities. Quotes from the interrogation by the prosecutor of Kampong Cham on 27th October, 2014 certified that that group did not engage in violence but were victims of violence perpetrated by gangsters of the company but the court still decided to detain 5 people yesterday evening. In the meantime, we would like to request Kampong Cham Court to consider releasing those detained 5 workers freely and drop all charges against them and suggest that the local authorities open an investigation into who is behind the gangsters, suspecting that they come from other unions, in order to condemn and find justice for the victims. We also request that other relevant organisations intervene and find justice for the 5 people behind bars. Phnom Penh 29th October, 2014 President Ath Thorn Contact Numbers: • Ath Thorn, C.CAWDU President, 012998906 • Ek Sopheakdey, C.CAWDU General Secretary, 066448888 • Kong Athit, C.CAWDU Vice President, 066525555
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:46:48 +0000
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