As Strikers Return to Work, Factories Sue Garment Unions
As garment workers continued to return to their factories Wednesday after several days of strikes that turned deadly last week, some of their employers have wasted no time in suing the unions behind the strikes, demanding compensation. Phnom Penh Municipal Court chief clerk Prak Savouth said five factories had already lodged complaints against the unions, but would not say which factories filed the suits or which unions had been targeted for legal action. “We received complaints from five factories,” he said, before referring further questions to Khieu Sambo, a lawyer for the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC). ... GMAC claims that the labor unrest has cost its members some $200 million in lost sales and accuses the protests of inflicting significant damage on their properties, although it has so far declined to put a dollar figure to the damage. The municipal court has summoned CCAWDU president Ath Thon—one of the six unions leaders singled out by GMAC— for questioning on Tuesday over allegations that he incited protesting workers to destroy property, municipal court deputy prosecutor Heang Sopheak said Wednesday. Fellow union leader Rong Chhun has also been summoned for questioning on the same day, along with political opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha. ... For now, the strikes and protests appear to be over. GMAC’s Mr. Sou Ieng said 90 percent of the industry’s 600,000 workers were back on the job yesterday. Mr. Thon, of CCAWDU, said anywhere from 60 percent to 100 percent of workers were back, depending on the city or province. ...
Aun Pheap and Zsombor Peter
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/as-strikers-return-to-work-factories-sue-garment-unions-50360/
