Several Cambodian social analysts and union representatives opine that unions should not only protect the rights and interests of workers, but should also play a role in promoting harmony in professional relations and contribute to increasing productivity and investment in Cambodia.

Yang Peou, a political observer and secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, claimed that several unions in Cambodia have not yet fully complied with the law. He said the Kingdom’s more than 6,000 unions should consider maintaining and protecting existing investments in the country, in order to protect the jobs of more than 800,000 people.

“Especially in the current troubled economic situation, unions should be careful of issuing negative reports to the outside world, as this can affect the national economy and discourage investors. In this sense, our nation is damaged and we all lose,” he said.

He suggested that unions should be able to work together in harmony with the government, without “throwing water”, or attacking each other to the detriment of the workers who are the ultimate beneficiaries, because the unions should work for the benefit of the workers and society as a whole.

He believed that unions and the government should have a mechanism in place to resolve issues before they reach the stage of defaming each other through the media, as this does not benefit Cambodia’s image. This could lead to a reduction in the attractiveness of the Kingdom as a destination for potential investment.

“If they are not careful, they might affect the big ‘rice pot’ of investment. It is possible that some foreign countries may appear more orderly, so businesspeople might flee to countries which are considered more able to control their workers, and therefore safer,” he said.

Kong Atith, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU), agreed that in addition to playing a role in protecting the rights of workers in factories and other large manufacturing enterprises, unions must also help strengthen and sustain the employment sector in Cambodia, as stated in the Cambodian Law on Trade Unions.

“Of course, unions must stand and represent workers in local factories, but some of their past activities have caused headaches between employers and employees, which can indirectly affect the job stability of workers,” he said.

The union president also said bluntly that some unions receive subsidies from abroad, which causes problems with company owners, as they lead protests and make relentless demands. They also stage disagreements with employers that in turn affect investment.

He added that if the unions adhere to an excessive role and their own self-interests, it will lead to the loss of common interests in the Cambodian labour sector.

“We also need to think about the investors. If we focus on opposing employers and cause them headaches, then of course they will run away and no one will want to do business with us. Of course, the protection of civil rights is important, but we need to think carefully and discuss them peacefully on behalf of the workers,” he added.

The trade union law, approved by the National Assembly on April 4, 2016, was designed to guarantee the right to freedom of establishing a professional organisation. It also guarantees the right to freedom of collective bargaining between workers and employers. The same law promotes harmony in professional relations and contributes to the development of decent work, increased productivity and investment.