The NGO Human Right Watch denounced Monday that the Cambodian government used the COVID-19 pandemic to imprison union activists and block the right to strike in textile and tourism industries.
«The Cambodian government and employers unscrupulously used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to further restrict independent trade unions, instead of protecting the welfare and rights of workers at a desperate time,» said HRW deputy Asia director Phil Robertson.
«As labor rights in Cambodia regress, the European Union, the United States and other trading partners should use their influence and increase their pressure on the government to meet its labor rights obligations,» urged Robertson.
Robertson has indicated that unions and their members are unable to obtain meaningful redress for the labor rights violations they have suffered. «Trading partners, international apparel brands sourcing from Cambodia and the ILO should work together to push for effective dispute resolution mechanisms to uphold workers’ rights,» said the NGO’s deputy Asia director.
HRW has criticized Cambodian authorities for allowing employers to circumvent labor standards, as well as the country’s Trade Union Law for violating international labor law obligations to register unions, conduct collective bargaining or enforce the exercise of the right to strike.
Many employers used worker dismissal measures (mass layoffs justified by the economic recession) to fire union leaders and activists, explains the NGO, which has interviewed several dozen independent union leaders and labor experts, including representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
HRW assures that it has so far documented five cases of unjustified dismissals against union leaders that exemplify the problem they denounce in terms of union repression.
In addition, companies in the country have «continued to abuse» fixed-term contracts to dissuade workers from organizing and to avoid paying severance pay.
