Wide Gap Hampers Cambodian Wage Talks

26 February 2013
Radio Free Asia
Unions
Arbitration Council / Better Factories Cambodia / Cambodia / Cambodia Confederation of Unions / Cambodia Daily / Chea Mony / collective labor disputes / employers / footwear worker / Free Trade Union / Garment factories / Garment Manufacturers Association / GMAC / Ith Sam Heng / Labor Advisory Council / Minister of Social Affairs / Rong Chhun / salary / Strikes / textile workers / Unions

A higher minimum salary for Cambodia’s garment and footwear worker is still not within sight after talks broke down Tuesday between unions representing the workers and their employers, officials said. The garment and footwear workers unions proposed to nearly double the current minimum monthly wage of U.S. $61 to U.S. $120, but the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) offered to increase it only to U.S. $72. ... Cambodia’s 300,000 textile workers often work long shifts for little pay in the garment factories, trade unions complain. The garment industry is Cambodia’s third-largest currency earner. ...

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/wages-02262013140215.html