Party Leaders Seeking Worker Sup****t
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
01 May 2008
National political leaders used rallies on International Labor Day
Thursday as a platform to appeal to worker sup****t ahead of July=92s
general elections.
Cambodia has around 500,000 factory workers, with about 300,000 in
garment factories, and union representatives say they are being hit
hard by the rising costs of fuel, goods and accommodation.
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha told a crowd of some 500
laborers at his headquarters that the party was seeking an $80 per
month salary, a nearly $30 raise to their current wages.
The party also sought =93to protect and improve the rights, freedom and
working conditions of workers, in order to solve their difficulties,
sufferings and necessities of worker interests,=94 he said.
=93If the HRP wins the July national election, the workers will have
full rights and freedoms, because we follow the rule of law and the
principles of law to satisfy both businessmen and workers,=94 he said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaking to workers in Sihanoukville, said he
was satisfied to see no mass demonstrations in the streets of Phnom
Penh, and he called on factory owners to take care of their workers,
including their bonuses, health care and working conditions.
=93The two sides must follow the labor law to solve their differences
with compromise,=94 he said.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh, head of his own party in exile, in a
statement Thursday, called on workers =93to use their rights to vote for
the good party in the July national election.=94
The Sam Rainsy Party, meanwhile, said in a statement it was seeking a
$75 monthly salary for workers, as well as the protection of worker
rights, in its bid for parliament.
The party would end the use of force against workers and establish a
labor court, the party said.
=93The workers must use their rights to change their lives, through the
27 July national election,=94 the party said.
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