Laborers Issue Demands Over Draft Union Law

Union leaders offered their official recommendations for a draft law to the Ministry of Labor on Wednesday, saying they wanted at least 12 articles dropped that they say will inhibit the work of labor leaders.

Failure by the government to drop the articles from the draft will lead to “mass demonstrations,” seven major union leaders said in a statement, following talks among the government, labor and factory representatives.

Ath Thun, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers, said the unions were working to protect the rights of laborers against a law that restricts the rights of union leaders.

“We do not want to make a joke law that will put pressure on trade union leaders and [hurt] the rights and freedoms of trade union leaders,” said Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions. “The life of the trade unions is fragile and easy to eliminate, if the employers or the concerned ministries are not happy with any trade union. In fact, this draft law [constrains] the rights and freedoms of the trade unions.”

Hang Sitha, a ministry member of the draft law commission, said during consultations Wednesday that the law is not meant to weaken trade unions but would give them “direction.” He dismissed concerns the law was skewed toward any party.

Labor leaders say they worry the law is more favorable to factory management.

Um Mean, secretary of state for the Ministry of Labor, said the ministry was accepting recommendations from both sides before submitting it for approval by the Council of Ministers later this year.