About 40 former Global Apparels Limited workers marched to the Ministry of Labour yesterday to submit a complaint requesting assistance in obtaining benefits they claim are owed to them under the Labour Law.

The complaint, signed by three unions – Collective Union of Movement of Workers, Cambodian Youth Power Union League and Labour Union of Cambodia – demands that the company pay severance pay and other benefits to more than 600 workers who were terminated on Thursday.

According to a company representative, who declined to give his name, the company offered a severance package equivalent to 5 per cent of the workers’ salary over the period of their contract, and about 300 accepted.

“Some people might not want to accept the 5 per cent,” he said. “They want more.” The company will close in October.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour has set a time frame to establish next year’s minimum wage for the garment sector. Discussions are slated to begin in July, with the new wage going into effect next April, according to a press release.