Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - PM urges out-of-court labour dispute resolutions

PM urges out-of-court labour dispute resolutions

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen greets assembled workers at the Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone on May 26. SPM

PM urges out-of-court labour dispute resolutions

Prime Minister Hun Sen has reiterated calls for trade unions, factory owners and workers' representatives to settle disputes as early as possible through the participation of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and local authorities, should any disputes arise.

“If a dispute occurs, it needs to be settled quickly. Don’t leave it too long and do not harbour it. Trade unions, along with factory owners and workers' representatives, should make efforts to resolve it with the participation of the labour ministry and local authorities.  Only a win-win principle can avoid the dispute ending up in the courts,” he said.

While meeting with nearly 20,000 workers at the Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone on May 26, Hun Sen noted that some factory owners had escaped without paying compensation to workers.

“Therefore, it is sometimes better to find short-term solutions rather than wait for a court ruling to be made,” he said.

“I have always given advances on compensation to the labour ministry, pending a court decision. In some cases, the factories have been auctioned to pay for the compensation, but the sale could not cover the cost,” he added.

He explained that in such instances, it was the government who accepted the loss, not the workers.

“To make it clear, when factory owners run away, we pay the compensation, often for more than we get back by auctioning their abandoned businesses,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom