Trade unions in Australia have voiced their support for garment workers in Cambodia who have been facing repression while campaigning for a decent, living wage. Among the Australian bodies supporting their case are: the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia. They have signed letters calling for the immediate release of all arrested workers, provision of medical treatment for the injured and an agreement on a minimum wage for the textile and garment industry. They say there should be no repression of workers fighting for a living wage.
The over 5,00,000 workers in the Cambodian textile industry are being paid paltry wages even though Cambodia’s garment industry has an annual turnover of $5 billion. The Cambodian economy has enjoyed growth due to many corporations relocating there from China. And much of this growth has been in the textile and clothing sector.
Strikes and protests regularly embroil Cambodia's garment industry. Workers in toil in poorly ventilated factories and work overtime to eke out a living. The garment sector accounts for more than 80 per cent of Cambodia’s exports and is the bedrock of the country’s economy.
