Fashion brands and retailers sourcing from Cambodia have been asked to urge local authorities to put an immediate end to intimidation against workers and trade union leaders who took part in last week’s pay strikes if they want their ethical commitment to be taken seriously.
Labour rights group the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) claims over 200 factory unionists have been unfairly dismissed as a result of the mass protest. And it says there are reports of on-going violence against trade unionists and labour rights activists, legal threats against organizers, and the court-sponsored retaliation against union members.
The group has written to tell major buyers that such behaviour is unacceptable – and wants their support for a wage that meets living standards.
“Now it’s time for brands and retailers sourcing from Cambodia to show that ethical standards are taken seriously by urging suppliers to respect trade union right and reinstate unjustly dismissed trade union leaders,” said the CCC’s Dr Jeroen Merk.
“They should also convey to the Cambodian authorities that all legal action and intimidation against workers and trade union leaders should immediately be ended.
“Finally, they should encourage their suppliers and the industry association to enter into good faith negotiations with trade unions and aim towards a mutually beneficial resolution”.
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By GlobalDataLast week thousands of workers from the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Unions (CCAWDU) and the National Independent Federation of Textile Unions of Cambodia (NIFTUC) took part in a strike calling for wages to be raised to US$93.
The action came after an announcement in July that the minimum wage would rise from $50 to $61 a month.
The strike was temporarily suspended after the Ministry of Social Affairs agreed to hold talks later this month with representatives from the manufacturers and workers.
According to Mr Kong Athit, secretary-general of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, more than 200,000 workers from around 90 factories had joined the strike. Thousands of others, he claimed, had been prevented by their employers from taking part.
There are 297,000 workers employed in Cambodia’s garment industry and another 48,000 in footwear. There are around 470 garment factories in the country.
The garment industry is a key source for foreign income, accounting for 70 to 90% of Cambodia’s exports. In the first seven months of 2010, garment exports represented US$1.63 bn. Most shipments go to the US and EU, where customers include Gap Inc, H&M, Levi Strauss, Adidas, Target, Sears Holdings, Children’s Place, and VF Jeanswear.
