Y&W Garment Co factory workers are paid outstanding wages and other benefits in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district on March 22. Photo supplied
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training distributed wages and benefits to 3,728 workers at Y&W Garment Co Ltd from March 22-23 in a process that was conducted smoothly and “with good cooperation”.
It urged workers who have not yet collected their salaries to prepare the necessary documents and bring them directly to the ministry from March 25 in order to receive their due.
The payment to Y&W employees followed the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s decision on March 12 to temporarily seize all assets and materials of the factory. The action was in response to the factory owner absconding without paying the workers, leading to multiple protests and public roadblocks.
Separately on March 24, the ministry also announced the payment of wages and benefits to workers at R G Footwear, located in Bek Chan commune in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district, following the complete destruction of the factory in a fire on March 18.
The ministry explained that, given the factory’s short operation life and workers being on fixed duration contracts (FDCs), they will receive three entitlements: unpaid wages from the last month (according to Article 116 of the labour law), remaining annual leave allowance (articles 166 and 167) and five per cent severance pay (Article 73).
Workers are advised to collect their wages and benefits on March 30 at the Ang Snuol District Hall, located on National Road 4 in Poeuk commune’s Prey Popel village.
The ministry also encouraged individuals seeking new work to visit the mobile employment centre of the National Employment Agency (NEA), stationed in front of the factory, from March 25 and at the district hall on March 30, or to contact the agency via 077 232 378 or 016 786 655.
Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), remarked on March 24 that it was advantageous for workers to receive their wages and benefits soon after the factories’ closure.
“I think it’s good when they get their payment early, including wage, severance and other benefits. However, they are only receiving three out of the five entitlements. Receiving all five would be ideal,” he said.
