Negotiations Fail as Worker, Opposition Protests Continue
Tens of thousands of workers protested in front of the Ministry of Labor on Monday, after negotiations between labor leaders and the government failed to find a resolution to demands of higher wages in the face of a rising cost of living. … Labor Minister Ith Sam Heng on Monday called for worker demonstrations to cease immediately, or face legal action. Six trade union representatives met for nearly two hours Monday morning with officials from the Ministry of Labor, though the two sides failed to agree on negotiation points. Workers want a gradual increase in the minimum wage, up to $160 per month, by 2018, across the nation’s factories, which employ up to 400,000 people. … After negotiations failed, workers continued to protest through the afternoon, in front of the Council of Ministers building and the Ministry of Labor, where hundreds of riot police stood by barbed wired to prevent protesters from entering government buildings. Keo Remy, secretary of state for the Council of Ministers, said he would assist employers in negotiations. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers association, led demonstrations and said the protests would not stop until salaries are raised. …
Kong Sothanarith
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/negotiations-fail-as-worker-opposition-protests-continue/1820038.html
