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Over two weeks have passed since East Loyal Garment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd workers went on strike on April 7 to demand the reinstatement of a dismissed union leader, filing a case with the Labor Ministry and awaiting the decision by labor inspectors to determine whether there was any wrongdoing by the leader.
At the strike, workers called on their employer to respect labor laws and stop verbal abuse against employees, while the union leader who was dismissed expressed hope of returning to work.
Ly Sophary, 29, who heads the factory’s cleaning team, said she had been working at the garment factory for a year before she was dismissed without explanation, stressing that it was wrongful and discriminatory.
“I have done nothing wrong under the law, so I don’t know why the company dismissed me,” she told CamboJA News. “I worked every day without any problem or mistakes. I have also never received any warning, but on April 6, the company suddenly terminated me and said that they would not renew my contract.”
She was told by the company that they no longer needed workers in her position. Despite asking for clarification, they maintained the answer with no justification.
However, Sophary said, dismissals without cause are not new to the factory. When it was time for contract renewals, the company allegedly dismissed workers without notice or explanation. She described the practice as a form of discrimination against the union and was disappointed by the “unlawful decision”.
She expressed concern that without worker representatives, other employees could lose their voice and face potential harassment from management.
“This is not the first time. Workers have experienced this situation before,” she said. “If union representatives can be dismissed by the company, it could do the same with ordinary workers. If they dislike someone, they would fire them. I am certain there is discrimination against the union.”
Sophary also cited other forms of pressure by the company, including strict limits on leave and monitoring female workers when they go to the toilet.
The April 7 strike was organized to push for intervention from the authorities to resolve the dispute and to demand the reinstatement of union leaders. As of now, no resolution has been reached but it is being monitored.
“I want to return to work, and I want the company to respect labor laws,” she said. “We only ask the company to follow the law, stop insulting workers and stop pressuring them during their time off.”
On March 31, 2026, JS Leather Collection Phnom Penh Co., Ltd. (Branch 2), located in Trapaing Chrey village, Kakab II commune, Por Senchey district, Phnom Penh, also experienced a strike by workers.
Ry Sithinet, president of the Independent Trade Union Federation, said workers are waiting to hear from the labor inspectors whether the union leaders committed any wrongdoing. If the dismissal is found to have violated legal procedures, inspectors would order the company to reinstate the worker.
“We are currently waiting for the labor inspector’s decision,” he said.
Similar protests have occurred in the past when union leaders were dismissed. Following intervention by the Ministry of Labor, workers were eventually reinstated with benefits in accordance with the law.
Touch Ser, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said treating unions as enemies would not help companies grow.
Urging employers to stop discriminating against unions and to comply with labor laws, she noted that unions remain in a fragile position due to repeated dismissals by employers.
“We are always concerned about union discrimination,” she said. “Even though unions have special protection and the ministry intervenes [when necessary], companies still appear not to respect the law.”
Labor Ministry spokesperson Sun Mesa could not be reached for comment.
