Trade unions demand change to draft law

A group of independent trade unions yesterday put forth a list of demands for changes to Cambodia’s first trade union law, which will be finalised by the government in the coming months. Unionists said the revisions were necessary, as the current draft law would undermine unions and collective bargaining rights. They said mass demonstrations would follow if their demands were not met. A joint statement by five independent unions, including the Cambodian Confederation of Unions and the Cambodian Labor Confederation, suggested more than 20 changes to the government’s draft law. The demands included changing a two-year limit on union leadership to a five-year limit, and lessening fines for union leaders involved in demonstrations that cause public disturbances…