A thousand employees walked off the job at Nex-t Apparel (Cambodia) Co Ltd in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district yesterday after two workers were fired for collecting money to buy water for strikers at a neighbouring factory.

“The company officer saw a piece of paper that I wrote to every worker to donate some money to help protesters at SL,” said Yin Phanna, 21, who was fired along with Chan Srey Mom, 23. “Three company officials . . . forced us to sign a termination letter.”

Management yesterday agreed to rehire the fired employees, but would not meet the 12 additional demands workers formulated.

Demonstrations at Nex-t are set to continue today.