Wage talks remain in deadlock

The third day of negotiations between members of a working group trying to reach a consensus on the minimum monthly garment wage remained stagnant yesterday, as manufacturers refused to budge from their $110 offer.

Although members of the government delegation to the working group – also made up of factory and union representatives – urged employers to at least consider $120, they flatly refused, said Collective Union of Movement of Workers president Pav Sina.

“If the employers increase their offer, we will lower our demand from $150,” Sina said, referring to the amount unions have loosely agreed upon.

Ministry of Labour spokesman Heng Sour could not be reached after the meeting.

Moeun Tola, head of the Community Legal Education Center’s labour program, said he believed standing firm for the time being is a tactic manufacturers are using so that unions will accept a lesser amount in the end.

“I think it’s only the strategy of the manufacturers,” he said.