Free Trade Union Reports Overall Jump in Labor Strikes in 2013
The Free Trade Union (FTU) on Monday reported an overall increase in industrial action by its local branches last year with 136 total strikes in the first 11 months of 2013, up 35 percent from all of 2012, when there were 101 strikes by its members. This increase does not include the 241 strikes by FTU members in December during nationwide strikes, which culminated in police shooting dead five workers and wounding more than 40 on January 3. Chea Mony, president of the FTU, said the heightened industrial unrest among his workers was a result of the rising cost of living. “There were a lot of strikes and protests increased because of inflation, so the workers had to demand more salary,” he said. “Also the factory workers are forced to work overtime.” In order to reduce industrial action, Mr. Mony suggested that the government and factory owners should stop intimidating and firing union activists, and instead deal with the root causes of labor strikes: low salary and mandatory overtime. … The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents more than 400 garment and footwear factories in the country, reported 131 strikes in the first 11 months of 2013, resulting in 826,000 days of lost labor. …
