Cambodian garment workers prepare to strike

11/09/2010
Australia Radio

Dozens of Cambodian factories will be forced into shut down next week due to a strike by garment workers.

A Cambodian union leader says 80-thousand garment workers will strike for five days next week after an unresolved dispute over the minimum wage.

The strike follows a deal made in July between the government and the manufacturers' industry body as well as some unions to increase the monthly wage to 61 dollars for the industry's 360,000 workers, most of whom are young women.

But that sum is far below the 93-dollar minimum unions had called for and that even the government's own statistics office says is the minimum workers need.

Garment manufacturing is a key part of Cambodia's economy, accounting for 15 percent of GDP and the bulk of export earnings.

Union president Ath Thorn said workers simply want a living wage, and has threatened further strike action unless the industry returns to the table.