Luncheon on Trade Union draft Law
EuroCham Cambodia hosted with CAMFEBA (the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations) a luncheon to facilitate discussion of the latest draft of Cambodia’s Trade Union Law. The well-attended event, which included as guests a number of European Ambassadors as well as private sector participants and civil society members, benefited from the support of a visiting delegation of the International Labour Organization [ILO] Regional Office for Cambodia, Laos & Thailand in Bangkok led by Mr. Maurizio Bussi, Director for Southeast Asia and Pacific of the Decent Work Technical Support Team.
Answering the invitation of EuroCham, Ms. Sandra D’Amico, Vice-President of CAMFEBA, provided an overview of the current situation for the private sector which continues to grow but at a slower rate than before and hindered by challenging industrial relations. As Cambodia strives to remain competitive in the context of increasing regional competition and an appreciating US dollar, there is a need to stabilize industrial relations so as to prevent losses to productivity and to reduce the level of risk that investors perceive within Cambodia, especially but not exclusively within the garments sector. Ms. D’Amico stressed the need for an effective trade union law to lay the foundation for this stability – the status quo of multiple unions within single factories who are vulnerable to external influence precludes the possibility of meaningful dialogue between employers and employees. Whilst praising the consultation process undertaken by the Royal Government, concern was raised over the latest proposal for the minimum thresholds for forming a union (10 workers) as well as the reduced limits for recognition of Most Representative Status unions.
Mr. Maurizio Bussi took to the stage to explain to the audience the role of the ILO within the consultation process, which is to draw upon their expertise and experience of navigating industrial relations across the world in order to offer non-binding recommendations to the Royal Government and provide technical support. Mr. Bussi commented on how there has in recent years been greater recognition of the need for developing economies to ensure compliance with international obligations in a way that is consistent with the local context – a ‘one-size-fits-all’ interpretation of international standards is not necessarily the most effective way to protect the rights of workers.
Consult the Luncheon page for more pictures, and CAMFEBA' s presentation on Cambodia’s Trade Union Law for more information.
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