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Unionists from Cambodia’s longest-ever labor dispute renewed calls on the government Tuesday to help resolve their standoff with casino resort NagaWorld.
They demanded the reinstatement of sacked workers, the clearing of criminal records for unionists they say were wrongly jailed, and respect for labor rights, calling the case a test of Cambodia’s commitment to justice and human rights.
It has been over four years since workers at the country’s largest hotel and gambling resort began striking, accusing NagaWorld of trying to dismantle the independent Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) through mass dismissals and legal action.
Strikes in 2021 led to the arrest of more than a dozen LRSU members and the two-year imprisonment of its president, Chhim Sithar, on an incitement charge that drew condemnation from international rights groups.
In a statement on Tuesday, LRSU said many strikers, most of them women, have faced harassment and violent crackdowns by authorities, resulting in injuries, including a pregnant worker who it said suffered a miscarriage during a forced dispersal.
NagaWorld did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to its general inquiries email.
LRSU President Sithar, a recipient of human rights awards from Western governments, called for the reinstatement of the union and severance pay for its members. The Labor Ministry no longer recognizes the union, saying Sithar is no longer an employee of NagaWorld, but it has mediated talks between the union and the company.
“These are the justices we want,” Sithar said. “The employer must respect trade union freedom and workers’ rights in the workplace by allowing unions in the company and resolving problems through honest negotiations. Our priority is not only compensation, but respect for labor rights and the law.”
The union has accused the Labor Ministry of failing to act as a neutral mediator, saying it has sided with the company by pressing for compensation rather than reinstatement, freezing union dues and refusing to recognize the union’s elected leadership.
Asked about the claims, ministry spokesperson Sun Mesa said disputes must first be addressed internally at the company level, before being taken to the ministry, the Arbitration Council and, if necessary, the courts.
Mesa also questioned why LRSU members had not filed a lawsuit against NagaWorld if they rejected the outcomes proposed by the ministry and the Arbitration Council. Union members have previously said they do not trust the courts to provide justice, particularly after many faced criminal prosecution following the strikes.
Khleang Soben, LRSU secretary, said the ministry’s proposal forced workers to accept cash compensation, ignoring the labor disputes and alleged union rights violations.
She said that after losing her job at NagaWorld, she worked as a dishwasher to survive and claimed she faced discrimination from other employers because of her activism and age.
Am Sam Ath, operations director at local rights group Licadho, said the protracted dispute has hurt Cambodia’s reputation abroad and urged the government and relevant parties to ensure a fair resolution.
“It is time to end this labor dispute to set a good example,” he said.
