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Trade union leaders at risk in Cambodia
Amnesty International have issued an appeal for action in response to the threat of arrest and legal action being taken against union leaders in Cambodia.
Several union leaders and activists organizing a nationwide strike of garment factory workers in Cambodia are at risk of arrest and legal action. The five day national strike was called by a coalition of garment industry unions in protest at a new minimum wage set for the garment and footwear industry. Union officials say that 200,000 workers around the country joined the strike.
On 15 September, the Prime Minister authorized the police and local authorities to begin unspecified legal action against strike leaders.T he courts are reported to have warrants ready for the arrest of nine individuals for incitement.
Although not directly affected by these threats members of ATL's sister union the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association work under very difficult conditions. The rights of Cambodia's teacher unionists to meet, organise and take collective action is regularly threatened and individual unionists experience harassment and a number have been imprisoned, including the union's President Rong Chuung.
Amnesty International is asking people to write to the Cambodian authorities calling on them to respect the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
"Writing in this way will demonstrate that trade union rights in Cambodia are the subject of international interest and that adverse action will be noticed. I urge ATL's members tyo support this action and make their concerns for the rights of Cambodian unionists known to the Royal Cambodian Government," said Dr. Mary Bousted, ATL General Secretary.
