Workers paid out on doorstop of election

A month-long battle to secure back pay waged by 750 garment workers has ended only days before the national election – with the government footing the bill.

The $450,000 payout to the Pine Great (Cambodia) factory workers – whose factory owner skipped town in April – is being financed through a loan from the national budget, with payment to be made today.

Workers previously expressed concern that they would be unable to pay transportation costs so they could cast ballots if they did not receive their pay by Friday. They further vowed to protest in front of the Ministry of Social Affairs on Election Day if the wages remained unpaid. ...

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Economy and Finance paid out $6.5 million to more than 7,000 workers at Yung Wah, a Gap supplier, who were owed compensation. ...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/workers-paid-out-doorstop-election