The Phnom Penh Post - ENGLISH: “Violent clash as garment strike intensifies” plus 1 more

A nationwide garment worker strike intensified yesterday with at least one violent clash, even as authorities and Ministry of Labour officials agreed to continue negotiations with labour unions and industry officials on Monday.

More than 1,000 strikers blocked Russian Boulevard in front of the Labour Ministry yesterday, as union groups continued to demand a minimum monthly wage of $160 for garment workers next year - rather than the $95 announced Tuesday - and six additional points including a daily $3 food allowance for all workers.

Garment workers currently earn a minimum wage of $80, which includes a $5 health bonus.

A meeting of six union groups and Labour Ministry officials yesterday ended with no resolution, but the unions – the Free Trade Union (FTU), the Collective Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW), the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers' Democratic Union (C.CAWDU), the Coalition of Cambodian Unions (CCU), the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU), the Worker Friendship Union Federation (WFUF) and the Independent Youth Trade Union (IYTU) – will gather again Monday morning at the ministry for a negotiating session with the the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), said C.CAWDU president Ath Thorn, who attended this afternoon's meeting.

Monday's meeting appears to be a sincere effort on the government's part to renegotiate the $95 minimum wage, said Dave Welsh, country director of labour rights group Solidarity Center.

"I'm pretty confident that they're looking to renegotiate the minimum wage they announced," Welsh said after the meeting.

Waiting outside the ministry during the meeting, Sen Peak, a 22-year-old garment worker, said the struggle for a living wage has swayed her toward supporting the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which has been conducting a series of daily protests for nearly two weeks now.

"We can't live on so little," Peak said. "There is too much corruption here, which is why we join the CNRP."

GMAC, which on Thursday issued a "strong" suggestion to its 473 member factories to shutter operations until Monday out of fear of strike-related violence and property damage, reported that 240 factories within a 40-kilometre radius of Phnom Penh have been affected.

At least one violent incident occurred on Friday, when police blocked a large group of workers bound for Freedom Park as they attempted to march inside the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone on National Road 4 at about 8:30am, said Hui Pichsovann of the Community Legal Education Center.

Demonstrators were beaten with electrified batons during the ensuing clash, with at least one man hospitalised for injuries he received, said Pichsovann, who arrived on scene shortly after the violence. Between three and seven people were detained by police, he added, though at least three were released.

Police on hand fired warning rounds into the air, but did not aim at demonstrators, Pichsovann said.

BEAN THERE, NOT DONE THAT
The Southern Daily Echo in the UK reports that a Hampshire teenager Tazmin Hollands, 14, publicly immersed herself in a bath full of baked bean for four hours in a shopping centre, to raise money for a trip to Beng Mealea and Siem Reap. Once here, Tazmin will help build classrooms, support a reforestation project and teach food and hygiene and English.

The baked bean bath was not as relaxing as a session at, say, Bodia Spa and Tazmin told the English newspaper, "It was freezing and my feet went numb and I felt quite sick but I refused to get out until 2pm."

She added, "I would like to thank everyone who supported me and sponsored me for my baked bean bath. I managed to raise £237 ([US$387) on the day and, with all the other sponsors, the total will be around £800 ($1300), so that is brilliant."

GAMBLING BLUES VIET-STLE
According to DTriNews, Cambodia is the new go-to place for Vietnamese cai luong singers, comedians and circus artists, due to a high demand from Vietnamese expats.

DTriNews reports, "In Siem Reap, most of the shows are organised in the yards, halls of local schools or unoccupied stores and stadiums near the Angkor Temple complex. While there are many free Cai Luong shows organised by local pagodas, Vietnamese expats prefer the variety shows even though the ticket prices can be as high as $40 per person."

But the Vietnamese performers who come here to make a big buck, often end up out of luck after frequenting casinos because they are banned from such dubious establishments back home.

One performer, Chau Thanh, told the news service that many Viet artists have lengthened their stay just to gamble at the casinos near Moc Bai border, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap until they lose all they have made.

BOOK AND TOY DRIVE
Phare, the Cambodian Circus, Shinta Mani and Travel Indochina have started a book and educational toy drive. Books and toy for kids under 15 collected by these organisations are distributed by two NGOS – Build Your Future Today and Phare Ponleu Selpak.

Shinta Mani general manager Christian de Boer said, "I personally hope our guests and other likeminded tourists will bring their favorite children's books, already loved or new, and kids' toys from home and drop them in the various collection boxes around Siem Reap."

Build Your Future Today supports 25 villages in Siem Reap province by stocking school libraries with learning materials. Phare Ponleu Selpak, based in Battambang, provides free education to 1,200 disadvantaged youngsters.

SHORTS
Trending city: TripAdvisor claims that the fourth most "trending city to visit" in Asia is Siem Reap. Number 1 city is Kathmandu, Sapporo number 2, and Hanoi number 3. Siem Reap was also named by TripAdvisor as the number 5 of top 25 Asian destinations.

Socially worthy job: PEPY is seeking a communications and fund raising manager for a mid-February start for 6 months. No salary, but a $70 per month accommodation stipend will be provided and costs of visa will be covered.

Dirty doings: Hariharalaya Retreat Centre will hold a permaculture course next year from March 2-22, with the cost being $850 to $1100, depending on accommodation. Instructors include internationally renowned Rico Zook and Nic Gunton. Organisers say, "This course is an excellent and comprehensive introduction into regenerative systems design with between 100 to 120 hours of curriculum."

Mangled English at its best: Kingdom Angkor Hotel features "Kingdom Dinning" and promises that "All food is well prepared by our expert chef, let us cater your meeting, conference, or other events and we will ensure it is access and appetites of your guests are magnificent by satisfied."