"GMAC calls for halt to union negotiations due to uncertainty over EBA", 17 July 2019

The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) has, for a second time, called for the suspension of negotiations with the Trade Union Negotiation Council due to uncertainties surrounding the EU’s “Everything But Arms” agreement.

The association repeated a request to suspend discussions over the garment sector’s Collective Bargaining Agreement,…

“The GMAC executive committee feels that the uncertainty surrounding EBA means we are not in any position to enter into major negotiations that will impact the industry."

“We look forward to re-engaging on the issue of a sectoral [Collective Bargaining Agreement] once we have certainty and clarity on the EBA matter."…

The Trade Union Negotiation Council said the decision to suspend all negotiations put the progress made in discussions at risk.

It said the uncertainty brought about by the ongoing EBA withdrawal process had implications for potential future agreements but believed such uncertainty could be managed through dialogue.

“We continue to believe that engagement between employers and trade unions on a collective agreement would be a positive signal to the EU of the commitment of the parties involved in practising dialogue."…

Pav Sina, the president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, is one of the nine members of the Trade Union Negotiation Council…

Some talks had been held this year, but they were yet to address benefits for workers, he said.

“The suspension of negotiations by employers affects the progress we have made together since late 2017."

“It also means that the discussions on labour rights, working conditions and other benefits also stall. This means that what workers receive remains the same and is not improved,” Sina said…