The IUF is calling for the immediate release and the unconditional dropping of all charges against 8 union leaders involved in a strike at NagaWorld Casino hotel in Cambodia. An URGENT ACTION together with LabourStart has been launched today.
- On December 18, IUF affiliate LRSU launched a strike to protest NagaWorld management’s refusal to negotiate concerning the forced mass redundancy of over 1,300 workers that left many destitute. The union made every effort to negotiate a solution, but management refused to talk and even failed to attend a mediation session convened by the Ministry of Labour.
- On December 31, police raided LRSU’s office and arrested 9 people. Further arrests took place on January 3 and 4, including on January 4, LRSU President, Sithar Chhim, was violently arrested on the picket line by plainclothes police
- The IUF asked the ILO to intervene as a matter of urgency with the Government of Cambodia to seek guarantees on the safety of those arrested and to request their immediate release from custody and the dropping of the criminal charges
- Eight people are currently being detained, charged under the Criminal Code with “incitement”, a charge which carries a sentence of up to 5 years imprisonment
- In a letter to Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, Guy Ryder, Director General (DG) of the International Labour Organization, expressed his deep concern over the arrests of workers and union activists involved in the peaceful strike. The letter stresses that arrests and imprisonment in connection with peaceful strike action constitute a serious interference with civil liberties in general and trade union rights in particular and recalls that the preventive detention of trade union leaders for activities connected with the exercise of their rights is contrary to the principles of freedom of association. The DG’s letter concludes with an appeal to the Prime Minister to use his powers to ensure the immediate release from custody of all detained workers and the dropping of all criminal charges related to their trade union activity.
Please click HERE to sign the URGENT ACTION!
