Hitting empty pots with spoons yesterday, about 600 striking workers symbolised what they say is their inability to feed their families because of their factory’s refusal to pay seniority bonuses.

Employees of Phnom Penh’s Chuen Leu garment factory – called Huey Chuen until earlier this year – marched to the National Assembly and Ministry of Labour, delivering petitions pleading for government intervention.

Cambodia’s Labour Law dictates that when a factory changes its name, it must pay out seniority bonuses accrued by staff.

“We have travelled to the National Assembly four times and the Ministry of Labour nine times asking for help,” said Long Panha, a representative of workers who have been striking for about two months. “They have only made promises.”

Chuen Leu officials could not be reached for comment.

Vong Sovann, deputy secretary general of the Committee for the Settlement of Strikes and Demonstrations, said Minister of Labour Ith Sam Heng is considering action on the petition.