Cambodian police clash with thousands of garment workers, 23 hurt

At least 23 workers were hurt in Cambodia on Monday when police using stun batons moved in to end a protest over pay at a factory that makes clothing for U.S. sportswear company Nike , a worker and a trade union representative said. Police with riot gear were deployed to move about 3,000 mostly female workers who had blocked a road outside their factory owned by Sabrina (Cambodia) Garment Manufacturing in Kampong Speu province, west of the capital, Phnom Penh. A Nike spokeswoman in the United States told Reuters by e-mail that the company was "concerned" about the allegations and was investigating. Nike requires contract manufacturers to respect employees' rights to freedom of association, the spokeswoman added. ... According to the International Monetary Fund, garments accounted for 75 pct of Cambodia's total exports of $5.22 billion in 2011. Low-cost labour has attracted manufacturers making clothes and shoes for Western brands but strikes over pay and working conditions have become common.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/27/cambodia-garments-workers-idUSL3N0E829T20130527