Union Leader Called to Court for Inciting Garment Workers

The Kandal Provincial Court has summoned outspoken labor activist Rong Chhun to be questioned over accusations that he incited garment workers to strike illegally, a court official said yesterday. Deputy provincial prosecutor Tep Monin said that he called Mr. Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), to appear in court on Sept. 11 to answer to a defamation and incitement lawsuit filed on Aug. 6 by Jack Lui, director general of the Tai Yang garment factory. CCU members at the factory have staged an extended, and at times violent, strike over the past few months. … Mr. Chhun said that there had been a noticeable increase in employers using the court system to silence defenders of workers’ rights, union officials and to stop workers from staging peaceful protests. …