GMAC rejects demand by Cambodian workers for full lockdown salaries

10 Jun 21 2 min read

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The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) recently rejected a request from workers’ unions to be paid full salaries during the ongoing lockdown during which they have been unable to work. The decision comes as a survey revealed four in ten garment workers were unable to work for an average of 11 weeks due to the pandemic last year with many struggling to feed their families.

GMAC said the ‘principle of no work, no pay must prevail’. Employers are in a tough position due to reduced productivity and loss in purchase orders last year, it said.

Thousands of garment workers and hundreds of factories were affected in April after thousands of COVID cases were discovered among workers.

As a result, all factories in the capital and Takhmao city were forced to close temporarily after an April 15 order. Some factories faced penalties as well for missing deliveries while a few others pay exorbitant freight charges to get products delivered.

The ministry of industry, science and innovation recently revealed that 203 garment factories had permanently closed since the first outbreak began.

The labour ministry had earlier said there is no law that requires employees to be paid full salary during quarantine or lockdown periods.

Prime Minister Hun Sen in April reiterated his commitment to ensuring workplace safety and health in all factories, enterprises and in the informal economy.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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