Busting the unions
March 26, 2009
VOA reports on the garment industry’s latest union-bashing efforts.
Nearly 2,000 garment workers in Kandal province went on strike at one large factory Wednesday, demanding the return of eight fired union representatives.
The eight leaders, who represented the Free Trade Union, were fired after conflicts over memberships with leaders of a second union, the Khmer Youth Trade Union Alliance, Prum Kosal, a striking worker at Tai Yang Enterprise, told VOA Khmer by phone Wednesday.
“We must use our right to request the factory manager to allow the eight fired representatives to work normally,” he said. “If not, we will hold more strikes.”
Firing workers for their union activities is illegal. It is mind-boggling that the government would sit by and let foreigners mistreat local workers.
UPDATE: The Daily reports that the workers have stopped striking and both sides have agreed to arbitration. The fired workers have been reinstated pending the decision of the arbitrator.
March 26, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Why do you find this mind-boggling? You’ve already shared in your “Social Unrest” post your belief that “the chances of the CPP government falling are zero.” Given this hegemonic strength, is there any reason for them to champion the rights of subaltern groups?
March 26, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Duh, perhaps because the upper echelons are rabid nationalists Alwin?
March 26, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Those who recall their history would remember what happened the last time subaltern groups were elevated to actual power.