"After Acleda Bank, Microfinance Group Challenges Civil Society Report on Indebtedness", 13 July 2020

The Cambodia Microfinance Association hit back at a civil society report … that highlighted the high levels of indebtedness among surveyed garment factory workers, with the industry group calling into question the survey’s findings and methodology.

…, rights groups Licadho and Central, and pro-worker union Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU) issued a report revealing a high level of indebtedness among surveyed garment workers, which was resulting in them eating less, selling their land or taking additional loans to repay debt.

…, the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA) issued a statement contesting the findings of the report, questioning the three civil society groups’ “real intentions” behind publishing the document…

Kaing Tongngy, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Microfinance Association, questioned the reality presented by the three rights groups, pointing to allegations the industry body had made against Licadho for a prior report linking migration and microfinance debt…

Am Sam Ath, the deputy director for rights monitoring at Licadho, said that the 162 workers in the survey did not represent all garment workers, but the findings should be used by the relevant organizations and institutions to find “suitable solutions” for the workers…

Khun Tharo, a program coordinator at labor rights group Central, said … that the pool of workers surveyed was from factories that were completely or partially suspended, in order to highlight the reality faced by workers affected by the pandemic.

“It is not an inciting report. The report reflects reality during the COVID-19 pandemic, where garment workers have lost their income,” he said…