The Cambodian Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training is calling on NagaWorld protesters to end demonstrations that began outside the resort in mid-December. Officials say the public rallies could work against the striking workers, who have demanded the reinstatement of laid-off employees and the release of jailed union leaders.
According to the Phnom Penh Post, officials said the layoffs were due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In January, NagaWorld operator NagaCorp issued a similar assertion, stating that 73 percent of workers affected had accepted exit packages and denied accusations that the layoffs were used to reduce union representation.
It had previously described the layoffs as part of “proactive measures to manage” Covid, with the company looking to save up to US$2 million per month in run-rate operating costs. A total of 1,621 staffers out of 8,371 were laid off or resigned, and 6,181 are still employed, including 2,572 union members. In December, a court ruled that the protests are illegal. The ministry said many efforts have been taken to find a solution, and noted that 147 of 373 laid-off workers have been compensated and ended their protest.
“Based on the procedures stated in law and with the aim of ending the dispute peacefully and in the public interest, the ministry appeals to protesters who are both former and working staff of NagaWorld to stop these activities which could potentially lead to the loss of the very concessions you have been demanding,” officials said in a notice. “The ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant institutions to solve all of your concerns while also considering the legal rights of investors.”
Moeun Tola, executive director of the Centre for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), said he expects a “positive solution” to the conflict, and added that the NagaWorld dispute is “not a big issue in which no solution can be found.” He urged authorities to release those who have been arrested and called for the reinstatement of staff who have been terminated, which he said would solve “a large part” of the conflict.
The conflict has attracted headlines around the world. At the ninth session of the UN Human Rights Council on March 7, High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was “troubled” by the use of Covid-19 restrictions to “further erode democratic and civic space, including as a pretext to break a lawful strike by casino workers.”
“I call on the authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and engage in dialogue to address the strikers’ legitimate requests,” she said.
But Bachelet’s remarks were refuted by An Sokkhoeurn, head of the Cambodian Permanent Mission to the UN Offices in Geneva, who said Bachelet was “ill-advised and selective” in her interpretation of the problem. Sokkhoeurn said authorities “exercised utmost restraint” and “even knelt down to plead for (protesters’) compliance with the Covid-19 protocols.” At least 130 protesters have tested positive for the virus in the three months since the strike began.
On March 14, eight jailed union leaders were released on bail. One of the leaders, Ry Sovandy, told Radio Free Asia that the group plans to continue advocating for the rights of their coworkers and their union, despite their time in jail.
“Our stance is that the union has to be reinstated and the workers who want to work should be allowed to return,” she said. “Our position is purely based on the willingness of the workers. We will not accept any condition that leads to a dissolution of the union or only allows one party, the NagaWorld company, to win in this dispute.”
