"Collective of 73 rights groups rejects NagaWorld layoff plan", 10 June 2021

A wide assortment of workers’ rights and civil society organizations issued a joint statement … rejecting the ongoing mass layoff of NagaWorld employees and labelling the downsizing as a clear attempt to bust the casino company’s union.

The open letter was signed by 73 different groups working to promote human and labor rights in Cambodia. These organizations said in their statement that the casino company’s plan to lay off more than 1,300 workers is intended to eliminate the voice of the union and further the control by management of NagaWorld employees…

However, as the joint letter from civil society and labor rights groups pointed out, NagaWorld as a company has continued to perform well. Its net profits peaked … at $521 million and … fell to a little more than more than $102 million despite the impacts of COVID-19…

NagaWorld management also sent layoff notices … to three top leaders of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), including President Chhim Sithar and General Secretary Chhim Sokhon. The three joined other union members in rejecting the layoff plan.

Chhun Sokha, vice president of the NagaWorld union, welcomed the support of the other groups to combat what she described as “injustice happening to the union leaders” of the LRSU.

… Khun Tharo, a program coordinator of the labor rights group Central, echoed that sentiment, adding that the Labour Ministry has an obligation to resolve the conflict and urge both parties to negotiate...