Cambodia adopts controversial draft union law

AFP, PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s parliament yesterday approved a controversial draft law regulating trade unions, to the dismay of labour activists who fear it will curb their ability to protect garment workers—the backbone of the economy.
The government of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen says the law is aimed at regulating the country’s 3,400 trade unions.
But unionists and international human rights groups say it will dilute the power of labour groups in a sector still rife with abuse.
Around 700,000 factory workers form the bedrock of Cambodia’s $7 billion textile industry, which supplies brands including Gap, Nike and H&M.
Critics have expressed particular alarm at provisions forcing unions to report their finances to the government each year as well as granting authorities further powers to close down labour groups.
“The government wants to restrict our rights by creating this law,” Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union, told AFP.

Cambodia adopts controversial draft union law

AFP, PHNOM PENH: Cambodias parliament yesterday approved a controversial draft law regulating trade unions, to the dismay of labour activists who fear it will curb their ability to protect garment workersthe backbone of the economy. The government of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen says the law is aimed at regulating the countrys 3,400 trade unions. But unionists and international human rights groups say it will dilute the power of labour groups in a sector still rife with abuse. Around 700,000 factory workers form the bedrock of Cambodias $7 billion textile industry, which supplies brands including Gap, Nike and HM. Critics have expressed particular alarm at provisions forcing unions to report their finances to the government each year as well as granting authorities further powers to close down labour groups. The government wants to restrict our rights by creating this law, Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union, told AFP.