The Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) on Tuesday expressed “serious concern” over the fate of garment sector workers should economic sanctions be forced upon the Kingdom from abroad, even as a government spokesman said the country could not sell its independence in exchange for foreign aid.

“The international community is reacting against the elections in Cambodia and that might lead to unemployment if sanctions are imposed if [Cambodia] doesn’t heed their warnings,” the CCU wrote.Its concerns were made even as a number of Western countries voiced disappointment in the July 29 national elections and point to the fact that the European Union is the largest buyer of garments from the Kingdom.