Ocean fight looks to the government

Days after a Phnom Penh garment factory refused to abide by an Arbitration Council decision in favour of its employees, more than 1,000 workers are expected to demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Labour today.

The council on Wednesday ruled that Por Sen Chey district’s Ocean Garment factory must pay its employees their entire salaries for the month they planned to shutter operations. The factory announced a temporary closure beginning on May 24, saying it would reopen on June 26. However, it remains closed.

After Ocean management sent a notice saying it would pay workers $50, more than 1,000 employees protested. About 60 workers have accepted the $50, while others surrounded the factory director’s home on Saturday, demanding their full wages, Collective Union of Movement of Workers president Pav Sina said.

“I think a clash will happen between workers and authorities if they try to stop us,” Sina said. Ocean officials could not be reached.