Disgruntled workers from the Great Honour Textile Factory in Kandal province appealed to provincial authorities yesterday after their employer shut down the factory without warning and fled the country, leaving almost 1,000 people without work.

Som Aun, president of the National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia, said 400 people protested on behalf of a total of 966 workers, who had been deprived of their July salary and severance pay. Some had worked at the factory for 10 years.

“The factory has had less work since earlier this year, but recently, the employer escaped and showed no responsibility for their employees. The protesters want the provincial officials to find a solution,” he said.

Loy Rotha, an employee at the garment factory, said many had not found new jobs and needed their July wage to survive. “On Saturday, the company shut down the office; we were so panicked,” he said.

Kandal Deputy Governor Kim Rithy said the provincial committee had resolved to file a complaint to the court, asking them to seize the factory’s property and assets, sell them and give the proceeds to the workers.