Cambodia

A group of 200 garment workers staged a protest outside the Phonm Penh Municipal Court on February 27 after some of them were denied entry to their factory, even after they were given a judicial order to return to work. The tensions with the workers began early last month after several employees went on strike calling on management to give about 300 senior employees a US$28 raise, even after the government’s minimum wage increase at the beginning of the year. Company representatives could not be reached for comment on the matter. (Cambodia Daily))
 
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is encouraging private sector employers, including garment factories, to offer literacy classes for their workers. Speaking at the kickoff of the National Literacy Campaign, the Prime Minister said that increasing literacy rates among workers was good for both them and their employers, and that everyone should have a chance to learn. While union leaders applaud the announcement, they say that they are skeptical that many of the needed classes will actually materialize. (Phnom Penh Post)
 
A new documentary premiering in Cambodia could change the way that stories about garment workers all over the world are told. The film titled “Salary Hunger”not only features stories and interviews with Cambodia’s garment workers, but they were also heavily involved in the production, including scripting and editorial decisions. The film is also unique because it was shot mostly with a smartphone. (Cambodia Daily)