PM calls for worker-centric unions
UNIONS and professional organisations have been urged by Prime Minister Hun Manet to represent workers by focusing on their genuine interests, instead of engaging in unrelated activities, especially political endeavors that don’t serve the workers’ benefits.
The commitment to protecting workers’ rights and interests was also emphasised by the Ministry of Labour.
“When acting as a representative of workers’ rights, one must address the workers’ problems and not misuse the union’s platform to engage [them] in wrongful activities that lead to problems. Representatives should be specific about their focus; for example, if their goal is to protect human rights or the environment, they should establish an NGO dedicated to those causes,” Manet stated while meeting with workers in Phnom Penh.
“Do not hide behind the facade of a professional union, using workers for non-professional [conduct]. I thank all the unions that genuinely represent workers in resolving and negotiating their benefits, which is a tradition of our work,” he added.
The prime minister also recommended peaceful dispute resolution outside court proceedings whenever possible.
Labour minister Heng Sour stressed that both the ministry and the government are dedicated to protecting workers’ interests at the national consultative workshop on Decent Work Country Programmes 20242028 (DWCPs) on November 20.
He emphasised that neither employers nor those claiming to represent workers should exploit them.
“The ministry will not tolerate bypassing its mechanisms or internationalising issues related to working conditions in Cambodia. I believe it aligns with the workers’ common interest. Some individuals pose as workers’ representatives, but in reality, they undermine workers’ interests for their own gain,” he said.
“Thus, the labor ministry and the government must safeguard the general rights … of workers, preventing any individual, including employers and selfproclaimed workers’ representatives, from exploiting [them],” he added.
Pav Sina, president of the Collective
Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW ), underscored the necessity of protecting labourers.
He outlined a few critical factors: ensuring employment, considering workers’ health and safety, their livelihood and promoting their protections and freedoms. He stressed these are vital and guaranteed by law and the Constitution.
Sina expressed concern about current issues, particularly short-term employment contracts ranging from three to six months, which create uncertainty for workers’ income stability and suggested the labour ministry address the issue.*