Gov’t suspends freedom of association for unions

27 February 2014
The Cambodia Daily
Civil society / Constitution and rights / Economic policy and administration / Economy and commerce / Government / Human rights / Industries / Labor / Labor arbitration / Labor policy and administration / Law and judiciary / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training / Social development / Unions
Chea Mony / Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize / Free Trade Union / FTU / Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia / GMAC / ILO / International Labor Organization / labor law / Ministry of Labor / National Assembly

Following a complaint from the Free Trade Union (FTU) over the Ministry of Labor’s refusal to register 10 local branches of its organization, a ministry official said Wednesday that the constitutional right to freedom of association has been suspended until a new trade union law is passed by the government. Chea Mony, president of the FTU, an opposition-aligned union, said Wednesday that he sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen complaining about the Ministry of Labor’s rejection of his request to license new branches of his union. “I submitted a proposal with the registration department at the Labor Ministry to register local unions in factories and enterprises, but one officer told me his minister [Ith Sam Heng] temporarily banned issuing [licenses for unions],” Mr. Mony said. ... In 1999, Cambodia ratified the ILO’s Convention 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize. Article 2 of the convention states: “Workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, to join organizations of their own choosing without previous authorization.” Article 3 states: “The public authorities shall refrain from any interference, which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise thereof.” The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents the interests of factory owners, has criticized the proliferation of unions in the garment industry. In a statement posted to its website, GMAC writes that the freedom to associate is being abused by unions. “Multiplicity of unions has and remains the garment and footwear industry’s biggest challenge in Cambodia. Freedom of Association in Cambodia is at an extreme,” the statement says. ...

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http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/govt-suspends-freedom-of-association-for-unions-53271/