About 50 striking garment workers representing more than 2,000 employees from M&V International Garment Factory yesterday gathered outside Phnom Penh Municipal Court where they submitted a letter demanding a court order prohibiting their industrial action be scrapped.

Hem Sokponlok, president of Cambodian Industrial Union Federation, said the coalition of 10 unions wanted the May 26 “protection order” annulled to protect workers taking action against “severe working conditions”.

“The main purpose of our gathering today was to ask the court to find justice for our workers who were exploited by garment factory employers,” Sokponlok said.

The order says M&V workers, who are seeking a 2,000 riel a day food allowance and $15 a month for transportation, must resume their posts, while unions are barred from arranging protests that will affect the factory’s production.

Earlier this week, the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia slammed the now two-week old strike, saying it had repercussions for the broader industry.