In an open letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen, the factory owners said violent strikes "severely affect the investors' feeling and their long-term investment vision."
They said that on December 17, all production in the Manhattan Special Economic Zone where the main strike action occurred was "completely stopped, causing millions of dollars in losses." However, Chieng Om said most factories were not shut by the strikers, but were closed for the sake of security, with workers just going home.
Wages are a volatile issue in Cambodia, where about 700,000 people are employed in more than 700 garment and shoe factories. In 2014, Cambodia shipped about $6 billion worth of products to the US and Europe. Unions sought an increase in the minimum monthly wage to $160 in 2015, but most settled for $140. (SH)
ALCHEMPro News Desk – India
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