Hundreds of workers scheduled a march from the SL Garment
Processing Ltd. Factory to the Phnom Penh residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen
in protest of their poor working conditions. Police fired live ammunition and tear
gas during the clash that erupted between the unarmed protestors. A
street vendor selling rice was killed and many others injured by stray bullets. Violent protests have quadrupled since
May when a roof collapsed at a Cambodian shoe plant leaving three people dead
and others injured. The plant workers are angry over the dangerous work conditions
for little pay they must endure daily to produce clothing cheaply for Western
retailers. Most of these factory owners are foreign, and find Cambodia
appealing due to its low-cost labor. These businesses have seen their
businesses grow, with the help of the low wages and a government encouraging private
enterprise. During their protests, the garment workers express that with this
growth in the economy they too should see more benefits trickle down to them.
In recent years, Cambodia has seen an increase in the shoe
and garment sector. The International Monetary Fund stated this sector alone
accounts for roughly 80 percent of the Southeast Asian Country’s exports. However,
Prime Minister Hun Sen has commented that if these violent protests continue it
may lead to firms relocating to countries like Burma, Laos or India where labor
is cheaper. This would result in a rapid decline in their economy hurting these
workers even more. Factory owners are aware that wages are not keeping up with
inflation and the challenges it causes their employees. Jill Tucker, the chief
technical adviser with the ILO’s Better Factories program in Cambodia, says the
answer lies with the consumer. She stated, "If you look at the global
garment industry, you'll see that wages have risen across the board, material
costs have risen, energy costs have risen, but none of us are paying more for
our garments than we were a decade ago.” Unfortunately unless these factors
change, the protests and violence will continue.
Elaine Etzler
11/12/13
9:00PM
Source
Article 1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24910835
Source Article 2:http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-cambodia-collapse-idUSBRE94F04S20130516
Source Article 3: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23585003
No comments:
Post a Comment