|
The
signing of the Multi-Fiber Agreement between Cambodia and
the US in 1995 started a fast development in the garment
industry. A single agreement-the 1999 bilateral textile agreement
betweenthe United States and Cambodia-played a catalytic
role in creating and dramatically expanding Cambodia's garment
industry. The U.S. is now far and away Cambodia's largest
trading partner, buying about 70% of all Cambodian exports
- accounting for over one third of Cambodia's entire GDP.
Economic growth came not at the expense of human rights but precisely because
Cambodia carved out a niche for itself as a proponent of labor standards. The
Royal Government of Cambodia deserves praise for taking this daring, farseeing
stance in support of labor rights. The garment sector now employs more than 300,000
Cambodians. It also accounts for more than 95 percent of its export earnings.
And the wages of these workers amount to over $200 million per year - that is
money in the pockets of normal Cambodians for them to spend on education, health
and rural development. More than 80% of this work force are young women between
18-25 years of age, from rural poor families.
Despite the fact that the workers in the garment sector contribute to 90% of
the export of the country, their struggle for freedom, for their rights as women
and as workers remains a daily reality and this harsh reality is even more of
a threat to their lives when faced with police crackdowns, with murder attempts
and with legal actions from employers.
Making US$ 45,00 per month for the eight hours of work, these young women help
feed an average 5 members of their families. With no childcare facilities, young
mothers are forced to leave their young children and infants in the village.
Housing and health services are not free as employers make all attempts to disregard
the Labor Law that stipulates that health care, maternity leave and childcare
are to be made available to all workers.
In the social context, these young female workers are discriminated against for
having left their families and hometowns to seek “ freedom” in the big city.
They are often compared to prostitutes and therefore disvalued.
FTUWCK, the first and biggest federation of unions of garment workers led workers
to general strikes and numerous demonstrations from the start and continues to
fight for the full implementation of the Labor Law.
Its first president, Ms. Ou Mary a worker and a woman were severely attacked
during the 1997 strike. This incident has forced her to take an advisory position
as her safety was could not be guaranteed. The next president, Mr. Chea Vichea
continued the struggle with a stronger force as FTUWCK's membership grew. Chea
Vichea was assassinated in February 22, 2004 and 3 months later, another union
leader was killed in the same manner. In 2005, two of its female union leaders,
survived murder attempts following days of negotiations and confrontations with
employers.
The attacks were well reported by the local media by their assailants were never
arrested although identified by the victims.
FTUWCK success has been its strong stand for workers' rights and its membership
that supports the full package for workers' rights, which include reproductive
health, and rights, maternity leave, safety at work and protection against gender
based violence. |
|
logo-animal_01.gif)
