In June 2014, international trade union groups reported that approximately 200 workers had been fired since January 2014 for their involvement in trade union activity. While some have been reinstated, many remain dismissed.
Smart Tech, a bicycle factory in Bavet City, fired 45 workers for their involvement in a strike for better pay and conditions. In April 2014, it also paid workers $50 for not participating in a particular strike. It was one of many factories in special economic zones in Svay Rieng and Kampong Cham to have made the payment. One employee indicated:
“The factory also promised us that if we do not protest for another three months we will get $25. So we will not protest or strike, but if other workers [at my factory] protest, I will join them.”
Civil and criminal complaints have been lodged by garment manufacturers against unions which protested the inadequacy of the minimum wage even though there is no evidence that the targeted unions (all of which are independent of the ruling party) either called for or condoned any of the property damaged cause – likely caused by pro-government provocateurs.
Additionally, garment manufacturers have harassed unionists by lodging baseless claims. In May 2014, a newspaper reported that 17 labour activists had been detained since February 2014, including nine in the week leading up to 24 May 2014.
“Despite assurances from the government in February, there have since been unprecedented levels of intimidation, violence, and a declining respect for the rule of law, which together constitute a grave attack on union and worker rights,” said Jyrki Raina, secretary general of In-dustriALL, in a statement.