On 11 December 2018, 6 union leaders (Ath Thorn, Chea Mony, Mam Nhim, Pav Sina, Rong Chhun and Yang Sophorn) were each handed two-and-a-half year suspended prison sentences and ordered to pay compensation of 35 million riel ($8,750) for allegedly instigating violent acts during a minimum wage protest in 2013. Ninety-five NGOs issued a joint statement condemning the convictions and criticized the court for not providing sufficient credible evidence. The NGOs believe that the convictions are criminalizing trade union activities. According to Human Rights Watch, at trial, prosecutors failed to produce any evidence to establish that the six had committed the crimes charged, nor were any witnesses produced to prove the accused had acted violently during the protests.