Teacher and Union strike is off

After planned stricke by Cambodian Indepenent Teacher’s Association and the Free Trade Union (FTU) on July 3, it was called off following a joint statements signed by Garment Manufactures’ Association of Cambodia (GMAC) and 11 major unions commits both sides to hold talks in August on wages, stickes, arbitration and the labor law.

Last week, planned sticke could not been givan permission by government. By the way, the ministry of labor distibuted leaflets in factories on Tuesday to warn that the stricke could damage the national economy and lead to violence.

On the other hand, Chea Mony, president of FTU, told workers to suspend stike, which had been called to press for a raise in the minimum wage from $45 to $80 per month. He added that if there will be no solution, other strike will be staged. And ministry of labor welcome to pospont FTU’s decision on strike.

Chhoun Mon, advisor to deputy prime minister Sar Kheng, agreed to join on strike with FTU if raise in wage will not be solved.

According to data presented in April by the Economic Institute of Cambodia, workers’ wage remained $45 per month in the last two years due to inflation.

Kang Chandararot, director of the Cambodia Institute of Development Study, said that while wage increases to offset inflation would not hurt Cambodia’s ability to attract investors, large increases could make investors choose neighboring countries like Vietname, where other costs are already lower, The Cambodia Daily reported.