Strikes still on in some provinces

Unrest in the garment sector spread yesterday, as hundreds of workers from Kandal province demonstrated outside their factory.

The 700 workers at Unity Fashion factory walked off the job after managers said they would dock wages of workers who did not show up on April 17, the first day after Khmer New Year, said Ry Sithinet, a Free Trade Union officer.

Striking that began on Saturday continued yesterday at three factories in Svay Rieng province’s Tai Seng Special Economic Zone, said Meas Sokna, the local Collective Union of Movement of Workers officer.

Workers at Best Way, Smart Tech and You Li factories are demanding a $50 no-strike bonus management has withheld in the wake of demonstrations late last year and the reinstatement of 43 fired workers.

Provincial Ministry of Labour director Has Bunthy said he was working with both sides. But Sokna said strikers were considering blocking a road if a resolution was not offered this morning.