"Factory lawyer: Sackings legal", 9 January 2019

While 1,200 sacked W&D garment factory workers protested in front of the factory …, a lawyer representing it said they will not be re-hired.

The factory fired the workers …, having previously issued an ultimatum – supported by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court – that striking workers return to their jobs within 48 hours or be terminated.

Factory representative and defence lawyer Taing Meng told … that the termination is legal because the workers had not followed the court’s order.

In addition, he said the factory does not plan to provide seniority indemnity and is only responsible for the workers’ final month’s salary…

Srey Neang, 30, who has worked in the factory for over five years, told …: “Without a solution, what will we do? The factory terminated us. The factory should pay us [everything they owe us]…

Ministry of Labour spokesman Heng Sour could not be reached for comment ...

Collective Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW) president Pav Sina is disappointed that the company has decided to not re-employ the workers or pay proper compensation.

Sina said violation of workers’ rights is a serious issue, while private companies’ use of the court system to pressure workers is just as serious, and other factories may follow suit if the practice is not stopped…

W&D employs a total of 1,600 workers…