Cambodian court releases detained workers
- 10 years ago
It is a case that has galvanised the bottom rung of Cambodian society, and international clothing brands alike
On Friday, 25 garment workers were given suspended prison sentences for their role in strikes for higher pay that turned deadly.
They'd been held in detention until the case was heard.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) FATHER OF A WORKER, YOU SOKUN SAYING:
"This time I am so excited that my son is released and I can see him again, so I am so happy."
Cambodia's garment industry generated $5.3 billion in revenue last year.
But the official wage for the roughly 600,000 people the industry employs is just 100 dollars a month
At least three people died in January when Cambodian military police opened fire to quell a strike by workers who were demanding a doubling of their monthly wage to $160
Today's ruling came after many global brands put pressure on the Cambodian government to improve labour and human rights issues
But the Cambodian govern
On Friday, 25 garment workers were given suspended prison sentences for their role in strikes for higher pay that turned deadly.
They'd been held in detention until the case was heard.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) FATHER OF A WORKER, YOU SOKUN SAYING:
"This time I am so excited that my son is released and I can see him again, so I am so happy."
Cambodia's garment industry generated $5.3 billion in revenue last year.
But the official wage for the roughly 600,000 people the industry employs is just 100 dollars a month
At least three people died in January when Cambodian military police opened fire to quell a strike by workers who were demanding a doubling of their monthly wage to $160
Today's ruling came after many global brands put pressure on the Cambodian government to improve labour and human rights issues
But the Cambodian govern