Unions say 60,000 garment workers on strike over wages

Ath Thun, president of Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union, speaks near a sign that reads "Solidarity for our wages" during a strike at the Chinese-owned Chung Fai Knitwear Fty. Ltd. in Phnom Penh September 13, 2010. Cambodian labour activist Moeun Tola blames the Gap Inc, Nike Inc and other big Western brands for sinking Cambodian workers in low wages. Moeun Tola and thousands of Cambodian garment workers began a five-day walkout on Monday to demand better wages and benefits, a sign recent labour unrest in China may be spreading to factories elsewhere in Asia that supply the world with low-cost goods. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Sep 13, 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - A union leader said Monday that 60,000 garment workers at 50 factories had joined a strike in a dispute over Cambodia's revised minimum wage.

Ath Thorn, the president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, said he expected more workers would join in the coming days, with the strike set to continue until at least the end of the week.

'Until now we haven't had any violence. But the police arrested three people at lunchtime and confiscated microphones, and made them sign a contract not to use them any more,' he said.