Reduction of workers’ nightshift wages

According to the proposed amendment of Labor Law to National Assembly, workers’ nighttime wages would be cut from the current 200 percent of day rate to 130 percent in an attempt to boost employment and spur investment. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen asked parliament to amend the Labor Law in order to reduce workers’ wages at nighttime in an attempt to urge investors and to create jobs. He added that the amendment to the labor law would create around 350,000 jobs annually and boost production.

Free Trade Union (FTU) president Chea Mony said that “I will write a statement to the National Assembly president to not approve the law.” He added that employees deserve the current wages they receive for night-shift work because of the dangers they face working at night. Adding that, corruption, not night-shift wages, was the main factor harming Cambodian’s ability to attract investment, The Cambodia Daily reported.

Rong Chhoun, the president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, which includes the FTU, said that “the proposed law by government is unacceptable because it loses workers’ benefits.” He added that “We keep nighttime wages 200 percent, agreeing to reduce only 150 percent if the working hour is only 7 hours a day and employers are responsible for workers’ transportation and room rental fee”, Cambodge Soir reported.

Chhoun Mom Thol, president of the CPP government-aligned Cambodia Union Federation, said that “his union fully supports the amendment because it would mean more shifts at the factories.” The Cambodia Daily reported.