One week Snapshot Report By Rendon Group – 06 January 2014
Cambodian Worker and Opposition Protests
This week’s snapshot concerns the Cambodian worker and opposition
protests. On 02JAN a brief clash between security forces and striking
workers left several protestors injured and ten arrested. Human rights
groups condemned the crackdown as the worst case of violence against
civilians in more than a decade. The opposition party—Cambodia National
Rescue Party—postponed a talk over an ongoing political row with the
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party. On 03JAN, police
opened fire on protesting garment workers, leaving three dead. Authorities
halted further protests against the Prime Minister.
News summary of events related to the Cambodian worker and opposition protests from 31DEC-06JAN:
- On 31DEC, in response to continued protests by thousands of workers,
the Cambodian Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training announced a
planned increase to the minimum monthly wage from USD80 to USD100
starting in February 2014. (Kyodo)
- On 02JAN, a brief clash between security forces and striking workers
took place at a Cambodian garment factory on the outskirts of Phnom
Penh, leaving several protesters injured and ten arrested. (Xinhua)
- On 02JAN, the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of
Human Rights (LICADHO) denounced the crackdown on striking garment
workers by a special military unit, describing it as a “disturbing new
tactic” by the authorities. (AFP)
- On 02JAN, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) decided to
postpone a talk over ongoing political row with the Prime Minister Hun
Sen’s ruling party, which was scheduled for 03JAN. (Xinhua)
- On 03JAN, Cambodian police opened fire on protesting garment workers, leaving at least three people dead. (AFP)
- On 03JAN, the US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf appealed
for peaceful dialogue after police opened fire on protesting garment
workers. (AFP)
- On 04JAN, Cambodian authorities dispersed opposition protesters from
their rally base in Phnom Penh and halted further protests against
Prime Minister Hun Sen. (AFP)
- On 04JAN, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court summoned opposition leader
Sam Rainsy and his deputy Kem Sokha to question them about their
possible involvement in inciting felony or causing social chaos. (Xinhua)
Sample of Twitter handles regarding the Cambodian worker and opposition protests:
@JackBoard – Jackson Board, senior international reporter & producer, Channel News Asia
@prakchanthul – Chan Thul Prak, Reuters journalist based in Phnom Penh
@doyle_kevin – Kevin Doyle, journalist covering Cambodia
@jrousselot – Juliette Rousselot, human rights advocate and consultant in Phnom Penh
@laurencro – Lauren Crothers, journalist and photographer based in Phnom Penh
Sample of Third Party Validators regarding Cambodia:
Naly Pilorge, Director, human rights group LICADHO (Cambodia)
“I hope that the government would begin to exercise restraint, but
their actions today show a complete disregard for the rights and indeed
the lives of their own citizens.” –
Cambodia launches broad crackdown on opposition, Associated Press, 04JAN13
Ath Thorn, President, Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union
“If the government or employers agree to restart negotiations within
three days—today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow—we would negotiate
with workers to postpone the protest.” –
Cambodian Garment Workers Return to Streets, Wall Street Journal, 02JAN14
Yeng Virak, Executive Director, Community Legal Education Center (Cambodia)
“It seems like a turning point in the history of civil society.
People feel more free to join protests and to identify themselves as
part of the opposition.” –
Rally Draws a Diverse Group of Protesters in Cambodia, New York Times, 29DEC13
Ou Virak, President, Cambodian Center for Human Rights
“The majority of the people want change. But they don’t know what that change would look like.” –
Rally Draws a Diverse Group of Protesters in Cambodia, New York Times, 29DEC13
Chea Mony, President, Free Trade Union of Workers (Cambodia)
“The government and the factory owners know that workers cannot
survive with the current salary, but why can’t they agree to increase
the wages?” –
Garment workers rally against Cambodian government, Associated Press, 26DEC13
Sample of open source research by TRG analysts related to the Cambodian worker and opposition:
Cambodian court summons opposition leaders over deadly clash
Media: Xinhua (China)
Byline: N/A
Date: 04 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) — The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has
summoned the country’s main opposition party leader Sam Rainsy and his
deputy Kem Sokha to question about their possible involvement in
inciting felony or causing social chaos.
According to two separate summons signed by the court’s deputy
prosecutor Heang Sopheak on Friday and released to the media on
Saturday, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha are summoned to appear at the court
in the morning of Jan. 14.
The two opposition leaders would be questioned about “inciting to
commit felony or conducting actions that cause serious chaos to social
security,” said the summons.
Continue Reading
US urges ‘restraint’ in Cambodia after violence
Media: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Byline: N/A
Date: 03 January 2014
WASHINGTON, Jan 03, 2014 (AFP) – The United States on Friday appealed
for peaceful dialogue and denounced violence in Cambodia after police
opened fire on protesting garment workers, killing three people.
“The United States deeply regrets the recent loss of life in Cambodia
during violent clashes between protesters and government security
forces,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.
“We condemn violence as a means to achieve political or other
objectives and urge all sides to exercise maximum restraint and show
respect for the rule of law,” Harf said.
Continue Reading
Cambodia’s opposition party suspends talk plan with ruling party
Media: Xinhua (China)
Byline: N/A
Date: 02 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — The country’s main opposition party on
Thursday decided to postpone a talk over ongoing political row with the
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party, which was scheduled on Friday.
“The working group of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)
decides to suspend a talk plan over political dispute with the ruling
Cambodian People’s Party, which is scheduled on Jan. 3,” a CNRP’s
statement said.
The decision came after the Cambodian authorities on Thursday cracked
down on hundreds of striking workers at a garment factory on the
outskirts of capital Phnom Penh, the statement said, adding that the
CNRP would resume talks with the ruling party only if the authorities
stop using violence against protesters.
Continue Reading
Cambodian activists decry crackdown on strikers
Media: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Byline: N/A
Date: 02 January 2014
PHNOM PENH, Jan 02, 2014 (AFP) – Cambodian human rights campaigners
denounced a crackdown Thursday on striking garment workers by a special
military unit, describing it as a “disturbing new tactic” by the
authorities.
The incident comes against a backdrop of growing public protests
against the kingdom’s long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen, who was handed
a new five-year term in September following disputed elections.
Soldiers were seen brandishing metal pipes, knives, AK47 rifles,
slingshots and batons at the scene of Thursday’s protest, according to
the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights
(LICADHO).
Continue Reading
Cambodian garment workers to receive $100 per month from Feb
Media: Kyodo (Japan)
Byline: N/A
Date: 31 December 2013
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 – In response to continued protests by thousands
of workers, the Cambodian government has decided to increase their
current minimum monthly wage from $80 to $100 starting in February next
year, according to a statement released Tuesday.
In the statement, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training said
workers at garment and footwear sectors will receive a minimum monthly
wage of $100 starting Feb. 1, 2014.
Continue Reading
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As a copy in this history blog, only format/few words has been changed
