For the past few years, workers at King’s Land Garment factory in Cambodia have been struggling for their rights to be respected. Workers have endured physical and verbal abuse, wages below the minimum as set by Cambodian law, unsanitary bathrooms, discrimination of union members, and many other unacceptable conditions. Workers decided to form a union so that they could improve their conditions but instead the management of the factory has continued the repression of their rights. In January 2008, the workers went on strike. This factory produces for Wal-Mart, its supplier Saramax and other brands like Carters’ Watch the Wear.
Following July 13, 2007 when workers of King’s Land organized into C.CAWDU (an independent union), the factory management has ignored worker requests to meet regarding working conditions and other issues. They have also actively discriminated against union members and violated national and international labor law. Their behavior, including wrongful terminations, violence and attempted bribery, meant to eliminate the independent union presence in the factory, forced workers and their union to request the assistance of the Labor Dispute Department in settling these issues. However the company refused to meet the Department’s many calls for reconciliations in August and September 2007, forcing the Department to forward the case to the Arbitration Council to proceed. However the factory chose not implement the conclusions of the Council, furthermore terminating 2 employees after posting October agreements on the factory’s information board. In 2007 following the union’s formation, 16 union activists total were fired. Working conditions in dispute include: discrimination and violence against union workers, wage reductions and miscalculations, annual leave policies, health and hygiene violations, maternity leave benefits, special leave provisions.
In response to the Arbitration Council’s December 2007 award findings in favor of the union, which included the reinstatement of 5 workers, King’s Land rejected the findings in a letter to the Council. Because of this, C.CAWDU began a strike on January 11, 2008. On the week of March 25, 2008, C.CAWDU submitted a proposal to King’s Land calling for a collective bargaining agreement and end to strikes and lockouts.
Demands include: the reinstatement of 17 workers with back pay, implementation of Arbitration Council decisions (awarded 10/24, 10/27, 10/30, 11/16/2008), the termination of all legal action against C.CAWDU, and coverage of all medical expenses incurred by the 10 workers injured in the events of 2/6/08 outside the factory gates. King’s Land, in reply, refuses these terms.
Kingsland produces products for Saramax which is a sourcing agent to Wal-Mart and other brands. C.CAWDU requested the support of international organizations in North America and Europe. Organizations include Maquila Solidarity Network, Clean Clothes Campaign, International Labor Rights Forum, Asian Transnational Corporations Network, International Textile and Garment Workers Union and SweatFree Communities have communicated with the buyers beginning in March 2008. Since that point the International Labor Organization has sent representatives to further investigate.
Unfortunately Wal-Mart, Saramax and others have continued to drag their feet as the workers continue to fight for their rights. C.CAWDU is requesting international support for the King’s Land workers.