A Cambodian labour union this week sent a letter to the Japanese Embassy, asking for help dealing with reported violence against workers at a Japanese-owned garment factory in Kampong Speu province.

Chea Mony, president of Free Trade Union, yesterday sent a letter to the embassy, asking their officials to handle complaints of assaults against FTU workers at Hirota Garment Co.

“We would like the ambassador to please intervene with the employer at the Hirota factory to stop the use of violence against the leaders of Free Trade Union,” Mony’s letter reads.

According to Mony, a management official beat Hirota’s FTU director, Chuob Sokleab, with “metal pipes” during a dispute in December. Management also, the letter says, threatened violence against FTU workers protesting for better working conditions in January.

Mony’s letter also alleges that female workers at the factory are subject to physical attacks.

Hirota spokesman Hui Xin could not be reached yesterday.

Neang Sopheak, director of the embassy’s information department, yesterday said that he had not yet received the letter, but will look into the allegations.