The Naga World Hotel Casino complex in Phnom Penh has consistently denied their workers the right to union representation. For more than two decades management has refused to fully recognise the Union of Khmer Employees of Naga World (LRSU).
The consequences of management’s refusal to recognise the union became more obvious following the COVID-19 pandemic. Following two outbreaks at the Naga World complex, the LRSU wrote repeatedly to management, calling for safety measures. It also pointed out in its letter of 1 March 2021 that it had received “no information from management about the positive cases or what actions are being taken. In the absence of any information – including the names of those who suspect [to] test positive for COVID-19 – it is impossible for us to assist in contact tracing and tracking. We believe this lack of transparency and cooperation significantly increases the risk for all 8,000 employees.”
COVID-19 cases escalated, and on 8 April 2021, NagaCorp announced it was shutting down operations and laying off 1,300 workers – including the union leaders who called for improved safety measures.
Management then declared that any negotiation over redundancies would be individual and not through the union, leaving each worker alone to be bullied by a multibillion-dollar company. Hundreds of workers were compelled to accept “voluntary” redundancy.
More than 600 union members refused redundancy, however, and demanded the right to negotiate the terms and conditions of restructuring through their union. Having terminated the union leadership, management refused to negotiate.
Over 2,000 LRSU members signed a mass petition to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training as a formal complaint, demanding reinstatement and an end to rights violations and forced redundancies. Two mediations followed without any outcome as both the government and the employer refuse to recognise trade union rights.
