Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambrew case against worker reps partly dismissed

Cambrew case against worker reps partly dismissed

Villagers gather near a tyre that was set alight last week during a protest to express their anger at being left in the dark about a new railway project in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district.
Local worker representative Khem Mao (left) and food and service unionist Sar Mora at the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court on Friday. Leonie Kijewski

Cambrew case against worker reps partly dismissed

A $60,000 complaint against worker representatives by a local brewery partly owned by Carlsberg was largely dismissed on Friday by the Sihanoukville Provincial Court, though one of the defendants was still ordered to pay compensation to the company.

In a five-minute court hearing, Judge Keo Mony announced that “the court orders Mr Khem Mao to pay $3,000 to the beer company Cambrew, referring to the president of the local Democratic Workers Union of Angkor Beer Company. Mony, however, rejected the complaint against Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation leader Sar Mora, without elaborating on the reasons.

Cambrew, which is partially owned by brewing giant Carlsberg, had lodged a $60,000 complaint against Mora and Mao after a strike last August. About 100 workers went on strike for five days to protest the sacking of a warehouse manager.

The company produces Angkor, Carlsberg, Bayon, Klang and Black Panther beers. Cambrew could not be reached, and Carlsberg did not respond to a request for comment.

After the hearing, Mora said they would appeal the decision. “Cambrew doesn’t want to lose face,” he said. “But they also don’t want CFSWF to exist, so they pressure local leaders.”

The director of labour rights group Central, Moeun Tola, said that the ruling against Mao was part of a pattern of silencing unions, adding that “everyone understands that the court system is not independent and it’s used as a political tool”.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the