Prominent unionist Rong Chhun joined the Candlelight Party on Tuesday, months shy of the national election and he expected a “big achievement” for the party in July.
In the past 14 months, at least seven factory-level unions have reported obstacles in registering new unions under law.
Another NagaWorld worker was questioned by a Phnom Penh court on Tuesday in a case filed by the casino corporation, where very little has been made public about the events leading to the charges.
More than 180 apparently government-leaning unions have accused two pro-worker labor rights groups of sowing dissent among unions to split them and affect solidarity in the workers’ movement.
Footwear unionists in Takeo were summoned and questioned by military police after attending a Women’s Crisis Center training in Phnom Penh, saying officers asked who was behind them and warned them of illegal protests.
The Cambodian government has increased the minimum wage for the garment and footwear sector by $6, to $200, far below the $19 increase proposed by unions.
Protesting NagaWorld workers were able to breeze past police barriers usually set up to block them and were allowed to resume their protest outside the casino complex, as a visiting UN official observed them.
The NagaWorld protests again turned violent as workers tried to move police barricades blocking them from getting to the casino complex, with one worker left with a bloody nose after the tussle.
Workers gathered outside Phnom Penh’s Jing Sheng Factory on Thursday demanding compensation for workers who were allegedly fired after they tried to form a union.
Unions and NGOs have asked the Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene in the prolonged NagaWorld strike action, which has reached a stalemate with small protests occurring weekly and the Labor Ministry saying the case was out of its hands.
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