The Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) on Monday sought the Labor Ministry and eight embassies’ help to solve their long-drawn demands by considering the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Around 70 union members delivered letters to the ministry and the French, UK, U.S., Malaysian, Australian, Japanese, Canadian and German embassies in Phnom Penh to seek their intervention in the ongoing labor dispute. It stems from mass layoffs without severance pay at the Phnom Penh casino in December 2021 when the company claimed that the economic downturn caused by Covid-19 forced the dismissals.
Khleang Soben, secretary-general of LRSU, told CamboJA News that the ministry accepted the petition, but the official who received it did not give any clear response to the union’s request.
Soben noted that the workers have been constantly facing violence and legal pressure in their fight against union discrimination, with resolution having been delayed for nearly four years.
“We urge the Ministry of Labor to reopen this case and resolve it in accordance with the recommendations made by the ILO,” she added. “The accusation [made] by others is completely false. All we have been doing is demanding our labor rights. We have faced tremendous pressure, being turned from victims to the accused. That has been very painful.”
Another worker, Mam Sovathin, said it is time for the ministry to resolve the case as the labor dispute has dragged on for almost four years. She stressed that the ministry has a duty to protect workers who have acted lawfully and in line with the labor law. The ministry should not push the dispute to court, as it is their responsibility to settle it.
Sovathin added that transferring the case to the courts shows a lack of responsibility and failure to ensure justice for workers. She said the company’s compensation offer was unfairly calculated. The workers want their labor rights respected, including reinstating union leaders rather than being forced to accept money and leave under discrimination and pressure. She asked why the ministry cannot determine right and wrong and provide a just outcome for workers.
“I’m so disappointed with the ministry for [asking us to] refer the dispute to court. It is an excuse to avoid responsibility, even though the dispute clearly falls under the ministry’s jurisdiction,” she said.
About 300 workers, who were not officially terminated during the company’s announcement, have since accepted compensation under pressure due to the prolonged dispute. Currently, around 80 workers and union leaders remain, waiting firmly for a fair resolution, according to Sovathin.
“Many people misunderstand the dispute, thinking it ends when workers take the money and leave, but in reality, we want stable jobs. We want to work with dignity and respect,” Sovathin said.
In 2023, the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association made eight recommendations, urging the government to conduct an independent investigation into anti-union activities which occurred in November that year, and other discriminatory acts allegedly committed by the employer. It called for appropriate remedies and compensation if the allegations are proven true, and measures to prevent future anti-union practices.
The committee also expressed regret that Chhim Sithar, the president of LRSU, was imprisoned despite its recommendations. It urged the government to allow her to freely participate in lawful union activities without threats to her civil liberty or union rights.
Sun Mesa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor, did not respond to questions from CamboJA News about how the ministry plans to address ILO’s recommendations. Instead, he said, the former NagaWorld employees who continue to protest take their dispute to court, as they have already rejected the solutions provided by the ministry and the Arbitration Council, which served as a tripartite dispute resolution mechanism.
“Their demands are the ones the ministry has already resolved in accordance with the legal procedures. Those who remain dissatisfied can exercise their right to file a complaint with the court, which is the most appropriate legal process,” Mesa said. Once the case has reached the Arbitration Council, the legal process cannot revert back to the ministry for resolution — it can only proceed to court.
But Soben disagreed with the ministry’s decision to push the dispute to court, stressing that it is within the ministry’s jurisdiction, particularly since Cambodia does not have a labor court.
“We are fighting for labor rights — why are we being told to file criminal complaints? It’s contradicting,” Soben asked.
The union approached eight embassies but only France, UK, Australia, and Malaysia showed interest in their labor dispute. The other three accepted the letter but have not replied. A French Embassy official told the union that they would review and bring the issue to the ambassador. The U.S. Embassy asked the union to send the letter via email due to an administrative shutdown.
In an email to CamboJA News, Noémie Pinta, political and press councillor of the French embassy, confirmed that they received the LRSU’s letter, adding that their request will be reviewed. “We have nothing further to comment at this stage.”
Am Sam Ath, operations director of Licadho, said that it is not beneficial for the involved parties to continue dragging out this dispute, as prolonging it will further affect Cambodia’s reputation. He pointed out that there are existing criticisms from the international community regarding the use of violence and the detention of trade union leaders.
He hoped that the ministry and relevant parties would resolve the dispute in accordance with national and international laws, especially since the ILO has provided recommendations on this issue.
“I believe it’s time for the ministry and relevant institutions to solve this dispute to avoid negative consequences for Cambodia. There have been criticisms in the past regarding trade union freedoms and the enforcement of labor codes,” Sam Ath said.
