Fearful workers urged to stay

Key players in all quarters of the garment industry have expressed concerns that workers, fearing a violent election-related conflict, may leave work and return to their home provinces after their next pay cheque.

In a statement, the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) joined the government this week in urging workers who have remained home since the July 28 election to return to work – and those who did come back to remain in Phnom Penh. …

When Phnom Penh garment factories – which were required by the Ministry of Labour to allow workers three days to return to their home provinces to vote – reopened their doors on July 30, several reported workers not returning. Some of the workers told the Post they decided or were told by family members to stay home after hearing rumours of armed military officers on every corner and mass rioting. …

C.CAWDU, citing media reports and discussions with workers and management at about five factories, and Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh both publicly estimated 20 per cent of the garment workforce – about 80,000 workers – have not returned to work since the July 28 election. …

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/fearful-workers-urged-stay