Phnom Penh: The National Labor Union of Cambodia (NLC) took decisive action on June 30 by submitting a formal petition to the US Embassy in Cambodia. The petition urges a thorough review of a report issued by the Center for Labor Alliances and Human Rights (Central), which the NLC claims has had detrimental effects on Cambodian workers, particularly in the garment sector.

Mr. Te Baton, Vice President of the NLC, emphasized that the Central's report has allegedly fueled discrimination, discontent, and division among workers, impacting nearly 1 million individuals employed in the garment industry. He criticized the report for its alleged focus on issues between unions within companies, rather than addressing broader labor rights concerns in Cambodia.

"The content of the report, supposedly related to an ILO-BFC report, does not align with its purported title and seems to serve ulterior motives, potentially harming freedom of association and misrepresenting local labor conditions for political or profit-driven reasons," stated Mr. Te Baton.

Highlighting concerns over foreign influence, Mr. Te Baton accused certain civil society organizations of receiving foreign aid to manipulate local unions and fabricate issues detrimental to Cambodia's reputation internationally. He alleged that such actions not only undermine national interests but also jeopardize the economic stability and job security of Cambodian workers.

The NLC's petition requests Central to reconsider the title and content of its report to prevent negative perceptions among current investors and prospective investors interested in Cambodia. The union seeks to protect Cambodia's economic reputation and ensure a fair representation of its labor environment on the global stage.

This move by the NLC underscores its commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of Cambodian workers amidst external scrutiny and perceived misrepresentation.