Hundreds of garment factories in Cambodia temporarily suspended production Thursday amid concern that ongoing antigovernment protests, which have been joined in recent days by garment workers, may jeopardize their operations, a garment association official said.
Kong Sang, vice president of the Garment Manufacturing Association of Cambodia, told Kyodo News that some 700 garment factories have taken the GMAC's advice to shut their doors, at least until Monday, after which time the situation will be reviewed.
Over the last 12 days, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has staged mass rallies and marches in Phnom Penh, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for almost three decades.
The tens of thousands of protesters are also calling for a credible probe into alleged electoral fraud committed by the ruling Cambodian People's Party during last July's polls, and for the holding of a new election.
Chea Mony, president of Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said workers from at least 228 factories have joined the protests, demanding higher pay. "The current offer of $80 a month is not enough," he said.
Heng Sour, spokesman of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, said 925 garment and shoe factories operate in Cambodia, employing some 700,000 workers.
Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers, accused the CNRP of manipulating garment workers for political ends and suggested the party's demands are excessive and tantamount to "rebellion to the Constitution."
He also accused the party of manipulating religion and culture by including Buddhist monks in its rallies and marches.
According to the official results of the July 28 general election, the CPP won 68 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly and the CNRP 55. Refusing to recognize those results, the elected opposition parliamentarians have since boycotted all sessions of the assembly.
==Kyodo
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