“Shoe Factory Threatens Jobs Over Forming Union, Workers Say”, 7 April 2021

A Kampong Chhnang shoe factory is threatening workers’ jobs as they try to unionize, the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions and its local representative said.

Sleh Farita, a factory worker who is leading the attempt to unionize, said management at shoe factory Tripos International had repeatedly told her and about 10 others to give up their efforts or face termination.

“For me personally, I will not give up, I still represent the union to protect the rights and interests of workers, because this factory oppresses workers very much,” the factory worker said.

The Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU) said workers had notified the factory about establishing a union three times, but had been rejected and their jobs threatened.

In a statement dated Monday, it called on the Labor Ministry and buyers such as Clarks to intervene and allow the union’s establishment.

CATU president Yang Sophorn said on Tuesday that some workers had resigned amid the threats.