Factories Closed Until Safety Guaranteed
The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) on Sunday said all of the country’s 400-plus garment factories will remain closed until the government and striking trade unions can guarantee the safety of the factories and all employees who want to work. The decision, outlined in an open letter GMAC released after a meeting of its board Sunday morning, will effectively halt the country’s largest export industry, which generated a critical $5 billion in revenue during the first 11 months of this year. ... GMAC singles out six unions for inciting their members to damage factory property and of coercing other workers into joining their protests. The six include the Free Trade Union and the Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU), two of the largest unions not aligned with the government. The alleged misbehavior of the six unions, the letter says, “have left us with no other option but to close.” GMAC also asks the unions and the Labor Ministry to protect factory property and to guarantee the safety of workers who want to work. ... The letter also says that work stoppages over the past few days could lead factories to be fined by their buyers, and for workers to go without pay. It lays full blame for these problems at the feet of the six unions, who “will have to bear full responsibilities [sic] for the loss of wages, loss of jobs and the loss of investment in Cambodia.” CCAWDU vice president Kong Athit said he could not stop the protesters from demonstrating, and denied the unions were inciting workers. ... Labor Ministry spokesman Heng Suor said the ministry would meet once again with union leaders today to negotiate an end to the strikes and explain why an increase to $160 is just not possible. ... The Labor Ministry also issued a statement Sunday lamenting GMAC’s decision to not take part in today’s talks with union leaders at the ministry. ...
Aun Pheap
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/factories-closed-until-safety-guaranteed-49749/
