Protest letter to Cambodia Embassy - condemning violence against workers

11  Feb 2014- 10.30 am, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-Today. 

14 representative from Trade Unions and NGOs  organized a delegation  and submitted the  protest letter to the  embassy representative-Chhay Kosal, third secretary (Consular and Administration) at the embassy.and conveyed the protest messages and demands.

The  delegate of Malaysia trade unions is led by the Gopal Krisnan Nadesan, Secretary General, Malaysia Trade Union Congress . There are also the Malaysia affliate members of the global unions.

This action is also part of solidarity action that called by the Global Unions: ITUC, IndustrialALL and UNI.

The delegate conveyed the demands to the Cambodia government:

• Release the 23 workers (list attached)
• Undertake a prompt and thorough investigation into violence used against protesters;
• Respect the right to freedom of association, in line with ILO Convention 87 which Cambodia has ratified;
• Introduce of a legal framework consistent with Convention 87 and with the collective bargaining Convention 98; and,
• Institute a sound and inclusive process for determining the minimum wage.

The representative of the Embassy acknowledged the letter and will convey the messages to the Cambodia government.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,
H.R.H. Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Anoch Norodom Arunrasmy,
Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia,
Malaysa.
11 Feb 2014


Respect Workers Rights in Cambodia

Your excellency,

On behalf of concerned civil society members in Malaysia we write to condemn the violence perpetrated by members of the police and armed forces against striking garment workers. 

In December 2013, the government announced a new minimum wage increase, one that fell far below a living wage. The original offer of $95 (now $100) per month is truly insufficient to satisfy the basic needs of any Cambodian worker. It is also incompatible with Article 104 of the Cambodian Labour Code, which guarantees the payment of a wage that “must ensure every worker of a decent standard of living compatible with human dignity”.

Workers decided to withhold their labour on 24 December, as is their fundamental right under international law and the Cambodian Labour Code, to campaign for a higher minimum wage. Instead of negotiating with workers, the government decided to resort to violence and intimidation. Heavily armed police and soldiershaverepeatedly mobilized in early Januaryto quash the protests, leading to violent and bloody clashes. Four workers were killed and 39 injured. 23 workers were arrested. Legal summonses have been issued for union leaders.

We call on the government to immediately release all arrested workers, to ensure the provisionof medical treatment for the injured and to return to the bargaining table, with the representatives of workers and employers, to reach an agreementon a just minimum wage for the textile and garment industry.This requires the following actions:

• Release the 23 workers (list attached)
• Undertake a prompt and thorough investigation into violence used against protesters;
• Respect the right to freedom of association, in line with ILO Convention 87 which Cambodia has ratified;
• Introduce of a legal framework consistent with Convention 87 and with the collective bargaining Convention 98; and,
• Institute a sound and inclusive process for determining the minimum wage.

As a member of the ILO and having ratified ILO Convention 87 in 1999, the government must also respect the right of unions and workers to exercise their right to freedom of association, including the right to strike, without threat or intimidation.

There is no question that the conduct of the authorities constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights, including freedom of association.We await your immediate action to restore industrial and social peace based on respect for fundamental human rights.

Sincerely,

1. Asia Floor Wage Alliance

2. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

3. Dignity International

4. Pax Romana ICMICA

5. Committee for Asian Women

6. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas-JERIT

7.Malaysia Trade Union Congress

8. Member of Parliament – Charles Santiago

9. Junior Officers Union Tenaga Nasional Berhad

10. National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers

11. Community Action Network (CAN)

12. Food Not Bombs- KL

13. Electrical Industry Workers union (EIWU)