WIC holds forum to identify challenges workers face

The Worker’s Information Centre (WIC) has held a forum on challenges faced by of workers, especially women, and will present recommendations to relevant authorities to address them.

The WIC organised the forum under the theme “Access to Basic Social Services for Garment Workers” in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

This forum addressed increasing communication between workers and the authorities; creating an opportunity for workers to share challenges surrounding their living conditions, especially their access to basic social services, with stakeholders; and understanding the obstacles and mechanisms of the government to finding solutions.

WIC noted that garment workers, particularly women, continue to encounter a variety of problems, such as job insecurity, poor working conditions, short-term contracts, unsafe and poor living conditions, harassment, exploitation and violence.

It said that the garment workers’ experiences indicate that they continue to encounter insecure and poor living conditions, including tiny rented rooms and poor ventilation. For instance, burglaries at rented rooms have resulted in the loss of valuables and property by some garment workers.

WIC added that garment workers are frequently the victims of discrimination and violence, including verbal and behavioural harassment and abuse. The garment workers also continue to face a challenge due to the persistent rise in the cost of rented rooms, as well as the poor living conditions and environments.

It noted that the rents always increase in tandem with wage rises for garment workers. Additionally, certain garment workers are still not receiving the quality of public services and social protections as they deserve.

A garment worker, residing in Phnom Penh’s Toek Thla commune in Sen Sok district, said that she lives in a rented room with two other people. She is charged 4,000 Riels per cubic metre of water and spends an average of 28,000 to 40,000 Riel per month on water, which ranges from seven to 10 cubic metres.

“I would be grateful if the water price decreases to 800 Riel per cubic metre, as it will further reduce my bills,” she said.

WIC noted that some garment workers keep paying large amounts for electricity at rates set by the rented room owners, which cost between 1,000 and 1,500 Riels per kilowatt hour which, just like the water charges, which exceed what the government charges.

A garment worker residing in a rented room in Champouvoan village of Phnom Penh’s Por Senchey district said that she has been living in a rented house there for five years and the owner charges 1,500 Riel per kilowatt for electricity.

“I only use a fan and an electric rice cooker. My monthly expenditure is between 45,000 to 60,000 Riel, which is equivalent to 30 to 40 kilowatts,” she said.

Recently, Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, visited workers staying in Canadia Industrial Park in Phnom Penh’s Por Senchey district.

According to a Ministry of Labour statement, the purpose of his visit was to meet with workers, observe their living conditions and accommodation as well as to inquire about their working conditions in factories and other enterprises.

Link: Khmer Time