Court Questions Unionist on Incitement Charges
The Kandal Provincial Court yesterday questioned labor leader Rong Chhun over allegations he incited garment factory workers to stage an illegal strike, a court official said. A director at the Tai Yang garment factory in Ang Snuol district- which supplies apparel to U.S. brands Levi Strauss, Gap and Old Navy- filed an incitement and defamation lawsuit against Mr. Chhun last month for his role in long-running protests by workers that began in June. … A statement from the CCU [Cambodian Confederation of Unions] said the case against Mr. Chhun constituted “judicial harassment.” The statement called on labor and human rights groups to sign a letter “requesting that the Tai Yang management withdraw their complaint against Mr. Rong Chhun and enter negotiations within the normal labor relations framework.”
