Employees at the Kampong Speu shoe factory where a ceiling collapse killed two workers last May are headed back to work today after more than a week on strike, but will take their demands to the Arbitration Council.

Free Trade Union leaders agreed to end the strike of about 5,000 workers at Wing Star Shoes – an Asics supplier – after the Kampong Speu provincial court issued an injunction on Friday ordering employees to return, FTU officer Yann Roth Keopisey said.

“Asking employees to return to work does not mean we’ve given up,” Roth Keopisey said yesterday. “We are taking our case to the Arbitration Council.”

Employees walked off the job on March 14 – and later blocked National Road 3 – demanding an additional $10 per month for transportation and lunch, and $8 more in attendance bonuses. Wing Star employees currently receive a total of $27 per month for meals, transportation and attendance bonuses.

Wing Star administrative manager Mao Sisong declined to comment yesterday.