Cambodia: Labour Exploitation in the Garment Industry -Responsibilities of the Cambodian Government and International Brand Companies
Human Rights Now (HRN), a Tokyo-based international human rights NGO conducted a fact finding mission in Cambodia to investigate the situation surrounding the labour rights and working environments in garment factories, during the period from February 8th to February 12th 2015. In South East Asia, there are significant numbers of garment factories supplying clothes and shoes to international brands, including Japanese brand companies. However, these international brands sometimes prioritize low priced goods to be competitive in the market, causing violations of labour rights.
Situation revealed are listed below:
1. Illegal and Cruelly Prolonged Overtime Work
2. “Disposable” Workers (The short contract duration and continual refusal to renew contracts)
3. Discriminatory Treatment of Labour Union Activities
4. Lack of the Protections for Female Workers
5. Unsafe Work-Environment
6. Lack of effective mechanism to redress labour rights violations
HRN held a press conference regarding our findings and recommendations.
Report can be accessed from here:
Cambodia statement English 20150416
Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union has also published the statement:
C.CAWDU statement