"Change to labour law could hurt workers", 21 July 2020

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training met with employer and union representatives … to continue discussions on draft amendments to the Labour Law.

Union representatives said the amendment would hurt workers.

About 80 officials and representatives participated in the meeting at the Office of the Ministry of Labour.

Its minister Ith Sam Heng said the private sector has been confronted with competition from other exporting countries and the government is cooperating to find a common solution…

He said the government issued sharp reforms … to prioritise the private sector and encourage economic diversification…

The ministry created a tripartite working group consisting of government officials and representatives of employers and employees to discuss amendments to the Labour Law and encourage social conversations on the matter…

President of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) Ath Thorn participated in the meeting … and said the proposed amendments to the Labour Law signify a crucial loss of benefits for workers.

He said the amendment would reduce workers’ night shift pay from an addition of 130 per cent of their wages to just 100 per cent. In the past, Thorn said night shift workers received 200 per cent additional pay.

The amendment would also reduce public holidays for workers, he said.

Furthermore, the amendment would give more power to employers in dispute resolutions because they could choose to solve issues through the court or arbitration, he said…