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A group of more than 20 union leaders filed a petition in front of the National Assembly yesterday demanding a delay in the passage of the draft trade union law, while yet again requesting a full copy of the controversial legislation.
The draft law, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday, is set to be presented to parliament this week, where it is expected to easily pass thanks to the majority enjoyed by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union, said the law would restrict the right of workers to form unions and protest.
“If this draft union law is approved without considering some of the points we suggested, I expect there will not be an independent union movement anymore, giving a chance for employers to abuse rights, steal benefits and cheat workers,” he said.
Although some of the more controversial provisions of the law were dialled down in July, other contentious sections remain, such as new financial reporting requirements and the mandating of a 50 per cent-plus-one vote by membership before a union can legally strike.
