Cambodia

Union activists in Cambodia are speaking out against a controversial endorsement of a proposed labor law by Prime Minister Hun Sen. In a statement dated April 10, but released only last week, the Prime Minister praised the proposed policy, saying that it would strengthen the freedom of unions and crack down on the creation of illegal unions. Critics say the policy would hurt the formation of independent unions if passed and that it would unfairly back pro-government groups. (Phnom Penh Post)
 
Over 100 workers at a Phnom Penh factory staged a protest on April 20 after returning from the Khmer New Year holiday to find that their factory had been closed. Cambodia’s Labor Department was asked to investigate the matter and said that they were unable to locate any of the factory’s management representatives. It is suspected that the factory was closed due to bankruptcy and officials are deciding whether or not to auction off factory property in order to fund back pay for the workers. (Phnom Penh Post)