Urgent: CCU Leader threatened with arrest

Urgent Press Release: Tuesday, 3rd July 2012

For Immediate Release

Trade union leader threatened with arrest has CCU leads workers' rights
campaign

Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU) under presidency of Mrs. Yang
Sophorn has been leading the organization of a workers strike at the Tai
Yang I, II and CamWell factories in Kandal province. The workers started
the strike after the company refused to enter negotiations with CATU
representatives on five key workers requests.

1.Request the company to provide benefits, in accordance with the labour
law

2.Request the company to provide $15 dollars per month to the workers
for transportation and accommodation costs

3.Request the company to provide $15 dollars per month bonus to the
workers for good performance 4.Request the company to provide $15
dollars per month maternal/child care allowance to the workers with
young children

5.Request the company does not demote or withhold the technical bonus of
the workers who are absent for three days due to illness.

Mrs. Yang Sophorn, President of CATU said "CATU filed a complaint
against the first court notice No. 22 ???? regarding the depute at the
Tai Yang I & II and Camwell factory after the company refused to
negotiate with us to solve these problems which have been ongoing for a
long time already.  We do not want to strike but the company refuses to
engage with the worker representatives and so we are driven to this
action in order to make the company recognize the rights of CATU
members, especially the rights to collective barraging and freedom of
association as stated in ILO conventions 83 and 98 and Cambodian Law."

CCU president Mr. Rong Chhun has been threaten with arrest on at least
two occasions during the strike which he has been attending his return
ILO Conference in Switzerland. Today the situation at the strike is
becoming very tense as there is a real fear among many of the workers
that authorities will attempt to arrest Mr. Rong Chhun or in order to
end the strike.

Mr. Rong Chhun, CCU's President, said "We will continue this struggle
for workers' rights and there will be march in Phnom Penh on Friday 5th
if no solution is offered by the company. We are also trying to contact
the some of the buyers which include major companies such as Northern,
GAP, Levis and Old Navy. There buyers have good record in supporting
workers rights in Cambodia through the Better Factories Program and we
hope that will encourage the company owners to respect workers rights
and negotiate with CATU representatives."

For Further Information Contact:

Mrs. Yang Sophorn, CATU President at 012-880039

Mr. Rong Chhun, CCU President at 012-930706

The Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) was established in 2006. CCU
is comprised seven unions and associations representing over 90,000
workers in a range of sectors. Through national and international
campaigning, CCU advocates for improvements in the working conditions of
workers and lobbies the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and employers
to recognize workers' rights.