Cambodian garment workers get raise after pressure from the EU
20 September 2019 - 12:19
byPrak Chan Thul
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Garment workers walk to their factory in Phnom Penh on September 20 2019. Picture: AFP/TANG CHHIN SOTHY
Phnom Penh — On Friday, Cambodia raised 2020’s legal minimum wage for workers in its crucial textiles and footwear industry to $190 a month, an increase of 4.4%, amid pressure from the EU over its human rights and political record, officials said.
The garment industry is Cambodia’s largest employer, generating $7bn for the economy each year. It faces uncertainty after the EU, in February, began a process that could suspend the country’s special trade preferences.
“The minimum wage for textile, garment and shoe workers for 2020 is set at $190 a month,” labour minister Ith Sam Heng said in a directive on Friday, adding that the new wage takes effect in January.
Cambodia benefits from the EU’s “everything but arms” (EBA) trade programme, which allows the world’s least-developed countries to export most goods to the EU free of duties.
Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said unions would accept the new hike, although it fell short of their $195 demand, after a representative vote.
“Even though this figure is not what we wanted, it is positive, as Cambodia is in the midst of uncertainties around trade preferences,” Sina said. “If our wage goes higher than countries in the region, we will also suffer.”
The EU, which accounts for more than one-third of Cambodia’s exports, including garments, footwear and bicycles, began an 18-month consideration in February that could lead to the EBA suspension.
The re-examination of the European preferences began after the arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha and the dissolution of his party, leading to longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party’s holding all seats in parliament.
Ken Loo, secretary-general at the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, said employers accepted the new minimum wage but were concerned about rising pay. “We are always worried ... we are always concerned about rising wages, but we also understand that we just have to go up in line with inflation and other factors.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Cambodian garment workers get raise after pressure from the EU
Phnom Penh — On Friday, Cambodia raised 2020’s legal minimum wage for workers in its crucial textiles and footwear industry to $190 a month, an increase of 4.4%, amid pressure from the EU over its human rights and political record, officials said.
The garment industry is Cambodia’s largest employer, generating $7bn for the economy each year. It faces uncertainty after the EU, in February, began a process that could suspend the country’s special trade preferences.
“The minimum wage for textile, garment and shoe workers for 2020 is set at $190 a month,” labour minister Ith Sam Heng said in a directive on Friday, adding that the new wage takes effect in January.
Cambodia benefits from the EU’s “everything but arms” (EBA) trade programme, which allows the world’s least-developed countries to export most goods to the EU free of duties.
Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said unions would accept the new hike, although it fell short of their $195 demand, after a representative vote.
“Even though this figure is not what we wanted, it is positive, as Cambodia is in the midst of uncertainties around trade preferences,” Sina said. “If our wage goes higher than countries in the region, we will also suffer.”
The EU, which accounts for more than one-third of Cambodia’s exports, including garments, footwear and bicycles, began an 18-month consideration in February that could lead to the EBA suspension.
The re-examination of the European preferences began after the arrest of opposition leader Kem Sokha and the dissolution of his party, leading to longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party’s holding all seats in parliament.
Ken Loo, secretary-general at the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, said employers accepted the new minimum wage but were concerned about rising pay. “We are always worried ... we are always concerned about rising wages, but we also understand that we just have to go up in line with inflation and other factors.”
Reuters
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