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| Poster demanding the firing of Faruk Ahmad (Posted on Facebook) |
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Mom Kunthear and Claire Knox
Phnom Penh Post 
Police clash with striking factory workers employed by Ocean Garment Co
Ltd during a protest in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photograph: Vireak
Mai/Phnom Penh Post
More than 2,500 Ocean Garment factory
workers jostled with about 100 military police in the capital’s Dangkor
district yesterday in their second protest march over the alleged sexual
harassment of four female employees.
More than half of the factory’s some 4,000 employees marched to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house with a petition, but were stopped about 100 metres away by military police brandishing shields and batons.
In an inter-governmental ministerial committee meeting on Tuesday, Ocean – which supplies retail chain the Gap – refused to meet the sole demand of the striking workers, to terminate the manager.
Yesterday, the women pressed criminal charges, after being on strike since August 11.
One of the four women alleging sexual harassment, Nary – who asked that her family name not be used – told the Post that police forcefully pushed the group back yesterday.
She said the Bangladeshi manager, Faruk Ahmad, had stroked her hand and given her his phone number, asking her to call. When she rejected his advances, he forbid her to work any overtime.
Another worker who did not want to be named, said she had evidence, in the form of a text message, that she had faced sexual harassment from the same man.
“He heard that I needed money and asked me to go out and sleep with him for $20 a night. I told him I needed the money from my work, not sex,” she said.
Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said he was disappointed the company had failed to find a solution for the workers.
Meanwhile, Better Factories Cambodia technical adviser Jill Tucker said she was concerned by the allegations.
“Just because we do not detect it as much as other countries, doesn’t mean it is not happening. It’s difficult to get people to talk.”
Tucker added that Better Factories would visit the factory for an investigation on Friday, and that Gap had contacted her with concerns.
More than half of the factory’s some 4,000 employees marched to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house with a petition, but were stopped about 100 metres away by military police brandishing shields and batons.
In an inter-governmental ministerial committee meeting on Tuesday, Ocean – which supplies retail chain the Gap – refused to meet the sole demand of the striking workers, to terminate the manager.
Yesterday, the women pressed criminal charges, after being on strike since August 11.
One of the four women alleging sexual harassment, Nary – who asked that her family name not be used – told the Post that police forcefully pushed the group back yesterday.
She said the Bangladeshi manager, Faruk Ahmad, had stroked her hand and given her his phone number, asking her to call. When she rejected his advances, he forbid her to work any overtime.
Another worker who did not want to be named, said she had evidence, in the form of a text message, that she had faced sexual harassment from the same man.
“He heard that I needed money and asked me to go out and sleep with him for $20 a night. I told him I needed the money from my work, not sex,” she said.
Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said he was disappointed the company had failed to find a solution for the workers.
Meanwhile, Better Factories Cambodia technical adviser Jill Tucker said she was concerned by the allegations.
“Just because we do not detect it as much as other countries, doesn’t mean it is not happening. It’s difficult to get people to talk.”
Tucker added that Better Factories would visit the factory for an investigation on Friday, and that Gap had contacted her with concerns.
To contact the reporters on this story: Mom Kunthear at kunthear.mom@phnompenhpost.com
Claire Knox at newsroom@phnompenhpost.com
Claire Knox at newsroom@phnompenhpost.com
10 comments:
Fire him now to calm down the situation...
Bangladesh, is very poor country
Bangladesh, is poor than khmer - worse than khmer for living standard.
khmer government, doesn't need bangladesh businesses in cambodia
be smart khmer!
The $$$$ doesn't discriminated against races,genders,ethnicties,or colours of the skins,Cambodia needs investment the more is the better,the problems are the person or persons who whom is evik-doers like this guy abusing his power using sex to his advantage.This guy Faruk is not acceptable in work place.Fire me as soon as possible...
Kmenhwatt.
Evil-doers, I mean.Faruk is abusing his power and evil-doer indeed....
Where are khmer men hero to protect the khmer women? Why khmer men let this one man to abuse the khmer women? Ah hun cent needs to kick this man out of Cambodia, NOW!
He is a sex predator. Fire him and charge him with sex offense.
Most of the Boss are like that I believe her 100% that she's telling the true...I'm glad people stand up for their right, don't let this bastard abuse you like animals.......STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!!
I despise sand digger muslim.
I thought muslim is a good role model.....
They are, he's not Muslim if he does stuff like that. He's just your typical horny pervert.
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