Harsh restrictions imposed on union leader

23 April 2014
The Cambodia Daily
Alternative dispute resolution / Civil and commercial litigation / Civil society / Crime and law enforcement / Economic policy and administration / Economy and commerce / Garments and textiles / Government / Human rights / Industries / Judiciary and courts / Labor / Labor policy and administration / Law and judiciary / Laws and regulations / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training / Social development / Unions
Ath Thorn / Cambodian Labor Confederation / CCAWDU / Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union / Community Legal Education Center / Constitution Of The Kingdom Of Cambodia / labor law / Ministry of Labor / Oum Mean / Phnom Penh Municipal Court / SL Garment Factory

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday ordered embattled union leader Ath Thorn to stay away from the SL garment factory and its workers and to avoid any public gatherings that could “damage public order,” drawing a tight circle around one of the country’s most influential independent union bosses. Mr. Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU), was charged in March with inciting violence at a September 20 protest at the SL factory that turned violent, leaving at least 11 injured. An SL staff member who was hit in the eye by a rock during the clash between demonstrators and security guards filed the lawsuit against Mr. Thorn. On Saturday, Mr. Thorn said, he received a court letter ordering him to post $25,000 bail within a month or be placed in pre-trial detention. On Tuesday, Investigating Judge Chea Sok Heang effectively added an injunction to the court orders against Mr. Thorn. “Do not meet with people to form a group to damage public order in a public area,” the latest letter reads. “Do not visit the SL factory…in order to avoid any incidents. Do not damage public order around the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Do not meet with SL workers in order to avoid violence, and do not have or hold any weapons.” If Mr. Thorn breaches any of the conditions, the letter adds, the court can again order him to be placed in pre-trial detention. … The new orders came the same day that about 300 of Mr. Thorn’s supporters protested in front of the municipal court against his scheduled questioning that day in a separate case in which the union leader is accused of embezzling about $93,000 from members. The court postponed the questioning in the face of the growing protest outside its doors. Mr. Thorn denounced the new orders against him. … Along with the other unions behind the latest strike, CCAWDU is again planning to rally supporters at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park on May 1—International Labor Day—to keep pressing their demand for a higher minimum wage. Mr. Thorn conceded that the new court orders could make it harder for his union to join the planning but would not stop the others from following through. … CCAWDU claims 70,000 members and branches in 96 of the country’s 500-plus garment factories, including SL.

 Mech Dara and Zsombor Peter
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/harsh-restrictions-imposed-on-union-leader-57067/