"Giant Ibis Union Accepts Inadequate Severance Payments After Legal Disputes and Delays", 30 September 2024

After enduring months of protests and back-and-forth negotiations, Giant Ibis Union reluctantly accepted severance and seniority payments from the bus company, although it fell short of its compliance with Cambodian labor laws which mandate full compensation for laid-off workers.

“We’ve unanimously agreed to accept the payment from the company as we fear being threatened with court proceedings, and our union members don’t have capacity to continue protesting to seek full compensation,” said Siem Morady, Giant Ibis union leader,…

According to the negotiation letter, the company agreed to compensate union members on five points based on labor law, while ensuring that the payment was delivered ...

Morady was offered about $1,000, which was lower than $2,000, the actual compensation he was entitled to. However, he contended that “at least we had been putting pressure on the company to take responsibility”.

Ros Dariya, Giant Ibis’s administrative officer who participated in final negotiation …, said the company complied with the Labor Ministry’s measure and that it was based on the law. Acting on behalf of the company, Dariya denied any violation, noting that “both sides agreed to the solution moderated by the ministry”. “If they [the union] did not agree, they can proceed further,” she added.

… Moeun Tola, executive director of Center for the Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), opined that the labor dispute should not have dragged on for months. The company should prioritize swift resolution of labor disputes with the union as well as provide fair compensation, while respecting union rights without resorting to court proceedings as pressure tactics, he said…