Political parties jockey for votes on International Labor Day

By Soun Sophalmony

The Mekong Times

Leading Cambodian political parties and labor unions celebrated the 122nd International Labor Day (ILD) on May 1 with arty leaders appealing to workers for their voting support so that they can either: continue leading, further develop the country, or improve the difficult living conditions workers are now facing.

Human Rights Party promises workers US$80 minimum wage

“If the Human Rights Party [HRP] rules the next government it promises to secure … better working conditions,” announced HRP President Kem Sokha in front of 300 workers at the HRP congress celebrating ILD. “An HRP government will also set the basic minimum salary at US$80 per month. The HRP promises it will prioritize decreasing petrol and goods prices. Today’s government doesn’t have the will to deal with the hike in goods prices and workers’ difficulties. The only choice is to change the government by voting for the HRP. I have ways to cut petrol prices by opening up competition in petrol imports, reducing import tax, and reducing the income of petrol sellers.” At the HRP congress workers’ representatives pointed out that typical monthly living costs for workers stand at about US$60, not including water, electricity and other expenses. However, the basic workers’ salary is only US$50 per month. Workers also face problems with working conditions and the freedom to join trade unions. HRP leaders promised to solve the workers’ problems, and said the HRP is committed to serving, protecting, and developing the Kingdom according to workers’ actual needs.

Sam Rainsy Party serves up rice noodles to workers

The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) celebrated ILD with thousands of garment workers and union members at its headquarters in Phnom Penh yesterday afternoon by putting on a meal of rice-noodles and hosting a dance party. SRP leader Sam Rainsy vowed his party will always be there for Cambodian workers. Sam Rainsy also commemorated late Free Trade Union leader and defender of workers’ rights Chea Vichea, who was assassinated Jan 22, 2004. The opposition party leader demanded the government seek justice for Chea Vichea, urged factory employers to respect workers’ rights and raise workers’ salaries from US$56 to US$75 in order to balance rising commodity prices. “The price of prahok [fish-paste] has surged from 1,000 riel [around US$0.25] to 10,000 riel [around US$2.5] per kilo,” the opposition party leader noted. “As goods prices have soared around two-fold, workers’ salaries should be doubled so that workers can live properly.”After appealing to workers not to accept their basic salary of US$56 and criticizing the ruling Cambodian People’s Party for frequently distributing gifts for the purpose of vote buying, the opposition leader tried to persuade workers to vote for the SRP and vowed his government would lower petrol prices from 5,100 riel (US$1.28) to 4,000 riel (just under US$1) and would raise workers’ salaries to 300,000 riel (around US$75). There were around 5,000 attendants at the celebration, of which about 10 percent were moto-taxi drivers. After his speech, over 100 workers marched with garlands to pay respect to Chea Vichea.