Former Capitol drivers hold protest at office

Former Capitol Bus Company drivers protest outside the company's head office in Phnom Penh yesterday. Pha Lina

Former Capitol drivers hold protest at office

Thu, 19 May 2016 ppp

Pech Sotheary

About 20 former drivers for the Capitol Bus Company demonstrated peacefully in front of the company’s office yesterday in Phnom Penh’s Prampi Makara district to demand reemployment and compensation for 45 fired drivers.

Pil Pov, one of the ex-drivers, said that despite six months of protesting the company has not negotiated. The drivers, allegedly fired for trying to start a union, began calling for a boycott of the company in December.

“We have been protesting till today so that Capitol will respect the law and reemploy us, the 45 drivers” he said.

Standing with banners in front of company office – where the slogan “Capitol is trustworthy, has good service, reasonable prices, and is punctual” is displayed – former drivers shouted for a continued public boycott of the company and warned that in absence of a resolution, a larger protest would follow.

Eang Kimhun, secretary-general of Cambodia Transportation Workers Federation, said the government should “call the Capitol Company manager to discuss and negotiate”.

A Capital representative said the company will continue to seek resolution via court.