Cambodian garment workers have begun strikes seeking pay of up to USD 93 per month. Ath Thon, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union who leads the strikes, told Kyodo News that the unions want wages raised from the current minimum of USD 61 per month.
He said the demand is “not extreme,” particularly with daily expenses increasing due to hikes in food, gasoline and many other prices. Ath Thon added if there is no response from the companies then the strikes will go on for a week or longer.
Ken Loo, secretary general of Garment Manufacturing Association of Cambodia, said he is still collecting data on how many of the estimated 300,000 workers at the association''s 255 factories walked off the job on Monday. Ath Thon estimated about 50,000 workers from 40 factories took up the strike, but others sources suggested the number did not top 10,000.
