https://www.reuters.com/article/us-camb ... SKBN1ZN11CPHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Global clothing and shoe brands, including Adidas, PUMA and Levi Strauss have written again to Cambodia’s longtime leader saying the country’s record on labor and human rights threatens to bring down sanctions on its crucial garment industry.
The letter urges the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to amend a trade union law, repeal the law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and drop all outstanding criminal charges against union leaders.
“The credibility of Cambodia’s apparel, footwear, and travel goods sectors are at stake,” said the letter, seen by Reuters.
“We are concerned that the labor and human rights situation in Cambodia is risking the loss of trade preferences for Cambodia,” they added.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on Friday.
Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour said he had not seen the letter but said it “might contain the same out of date concerns that we have already addressed according to the Cambodian law and legal process”.
The European Union will decide next month whether or not to strip Cambodia of its “Everything but Arms (EBA)” initiative after a European Commission report found that Hun Sen’s government has cracked down on the opposition, civil society groups and the media.
The European Union accounts for nearly half of Cambodia’s exports, the country’s largest industry, which employs about 700,000 people and accounts for 40 percent of gross domestic product.
The letter, sent to Hun Sen on Wednesday, represents major apparel and footwear companies, including Adidas, Levis Strauss, New Balance, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, VF Corporation and American Apparel & Footwear Association.
They urged the government to amend the trade union law again as the amendments made on Jan. 3 fell short of international labor rights standards, fail to eliminate arbitrary hurdles to union registration, and restrict the ability of all unions to fully represent their members.
The brands also urged the government to repeal law regulating associations and NGOs.
“The current law enables an atmosphere of harassment and repression against civil society organizations and unions,” they said in the letter, adding that the government “should cease further baseless judicial proceedings against labor activists.”
The brands said they had contributed to the $9.5 billion in garment, footwear, and travel goods exported from Cambodia last year and many of the companies signing the letter have been sourcing from Cambodia since the garment sector was established in the country in the mid-1990s.
Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Angus MacSwan
Major Garment Brands Write To PM
- Bong Burgundy
- A Moment of Clarity
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Major Garment Brands Write To PM
Bringing the news. You stay classy, nas, Cambodia.
Hmm.
I’ve always thought this EBA thing was just the same as your dad (EU) waving your favourite porno mag (EBA) in front of your eyes and saying if you (Cambodia) don’t improve your behavior (human rights) it’ll get burnt.
But you know full well he likes to look at it too.
Just like this China tariffs bollocks. All orange willy waving and at the end nothing changes that much; great some give and take etc but China will still dominate.
They’ve been talking about it for so long.
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I’ve always thought this EBA thing was just the same as your dad (EU) waving your favourite porno mag (EBA) in front of your eyes and saying if you (Cambodia) don’t improve your behavior (human rights) it’ll get burnt.
But you know full well he likes to look at it too.
Just like this China tariffs bollocks. All orange willy waving and at the end nothing changes that much; great some give and take etc but China will still dominate.
They’ve been talking about it for so long.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
pew, pew, pew, pew!
That letter is from the main businesses directly involved in consumer goods manufacturing in Cambodia. Business is something that matters more than direct political pressure from other governments.
They might (and should) pay more attention, as it also implies businesses are ok to pay the price of those requests.
They might (and should) pay more attention, as it also implies businesses are ok to pay the price of those requests.
Or it’s political.logos wrote:That letter is from the main businesses directly involved in consumer goods manufacturing in Cambodia. Business is something that matters more than direct political pressure from other governments.
They might (and should) pay more attention, as it also implies businesses are ok to pay the price of those requests.
Find out who the money men are and you’ll find political motives.
Bet you $1. (CAD)
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pew, pew, pew, pew!
- spitthedog
- Is the World Outside still there ?
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I wonder what Ricky Gervais would make of it?
"Just pick up your award and fock off"
"Just pick up your award and fock off"
"I don't care what the people are thinking, i ain't drunk i'm just drinking"
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- OneTrickPony
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Those anachronistic whities really should try to keep up with what's happening in Khmer politics, Cambodian law and legal process
Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour said he had not seen the letter but said it “might contain the same out of date concerns that we have already addressed according to the Cambodian law and legal process.
Surely they must know the CIA knows what colour underpants HE is wearing every day.
Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour said he had not seen the letter but said it “might contain the same out of date concerns that we have already addressed according to the Cambodian law and legal process.
Surely they must know the CIA knows what colour underpants HE is wearing every day.
Up the workers!
- Lucky Lucan
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Adidas and Puma need to sort out their own disagreements before they start preaching to anyone else.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Commando I think.kungfufighter wrote:Those anachronistic whities really should try to keep up with what's happening in Khmer politics, Cambodian law and legal process
Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour said he had not seen the letter but said it “might contain the same out of date concerns that we have already addressed according to the Cambodian law and legal process.
Surely they must know the CIA knows what colour underpants HE is wearing every day.
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pew, pew, pew, pew!
- Bong Burgundy
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Response from GMAC:
Bringing the news. You stay classy, nas, Cambodia.
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- OneTrickPony
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Yes, well, it's a shame we haven't got a free press anymore, so that a decent journalist can write an informative uncensored piece on the trade union leaders, Chinese and Taiwanese influence in the organisation, and to let us know just how many trade unions in the garment sector there are in China. Etc
Up the workers!
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