Cambodian labor minister holds urgent talk with pro-opposition trade unions over strikes

27 December 2013
Xinhuanet News
Civil society / Economic policy and administration / Economy and commerce / Elections / Garments and textiles / Government / Industries / Investment / Labor / Labor arbitration / Labor policy and administration / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training / Social development / Unions
Cambodia National Rescue Party / Cambodian Confederation of Unions / Cambodian Confederation of Unions President Rong Chhu / CNRP / CPP / Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia / GMAC / Hun Sen / Ith Samheng / Minister of Labor Ith Samheng / Ministry of Labor / National Military Police / Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone / Prime Minister Hun Sen / Rong Chhun / Sam Rainy

Cambodian Minister of Labor Ith Samheng on Friday afternoon held an urgent talk with the representatives of six pro-opposition trade unions after they have led tens of thousands of workers off work in protest against low wage increase for 2014. As the meeting was going on, several thousands of protesting workers rallied in front of the Labor Ministry to wait for the results. “After a two-hour talk, both sides agreed to re-start a negotiation on minimum wage increase on Monday, Dec. 30,” Rong Chhun, president of Cambodian Confederation of Unions who represented a trade union, told reporters after the meeting. The Labor Ministry issued a statement after the meeting, saying that an additional talk between the trade unions and the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) will be held on Monday morning. “The Ministry would like to suggest all trade unions and employees to return to work, pending the results of the forthcoming talk,” the statement said. “The Ministry also condemns any actions that lead to the damage of private and public properties.” However, Rong Chhun said the strikes would not be ended unless the government and the factory owners double their minimum wages to 160 U.S. dollars a month from 2014. …

 Xinhuanet News Staff
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-12/27/c_133002053.htm