Fertilizer factory won’t hire non-CPP members, workers claim [Even a fertiliser factory has to toe the CPP's political line. How ridiculous is this?]

Tuesday, 04 December 2012
Phnom Penh Post

By Meas Sokchea

Workers applying for jobs at a fertilizer factory in Kandal province claim they were passed over in favour of applicants who were members of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

Prey Treng II village chief Hang Suon and two job applicants told the Post yesterday that Five Stars International Fertilizer Factory, located in the provincial district of Kien Svay, won’t hire non-CPP members.

“Opposition supporters, they haven’t been allowed to work in the factory. About 25 to 30 of my relatives applied to work, but they were not selected,” Suon said.

Villager Bun Thoeun said that after his application was held up, the factory manager informed him he had to apply through the Samraong Thom commune chief, Buth Sovann.

When contacted by the Post, however, Sovann rejected all the claims against the factory’s alleged discriminatory hiring practices.

“They applied directly to the factory. I just certified on an official letter their address, otherwise they aren’t received,” Sovann said.

“I do not have time to personally receive their application forms.”

Moreover, she said that there has been no politically-driven discrimination in hiring employees.

The Post could not reach the company owner or factory manager to ask about the allegations, which were further undercut by a member of the commune council’s admission that he had no “documented evidence” of discrimination.

“They hinted that if [anyone] wants to work, they must resign from the opposition party,” said Samraong Thom commune first deputy chief Ly Lin, a member of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

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To contact the reporter on this story: Meas Sokchea at sokchea.meas@phnompenhpost.com