Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a call to textile industry employees, urging them to take a stand against those threatening their livelihoods. He reaffirmed a no-tolerance policy for “extremists”.
Hun Sen made the call while addressing nearly 20,000 garment workers on June 27, across Chbar Mon and Samrong Tong districts in Kampong Speu province.
“Should the garment factories close suddenly, who will suffer the initial consequences?” he queried.
“It’s the factory workers who stand to lose their benefits first. Therefore, it’s essential to have the courage to confront those who persistently solicit foreign sanctions against Cambodia, discourage investment and impede our exports,” Hun Sen added.
The premiere encouraged workers to challenge those spreading destructive propaganda.
“You must be bold enough to identify those who threaten your livelihoods. Don’t be intimidated, as it is vital for us to address such extremist politicians,” he asserted.
Reiterating his stand, Hun Sen stated that such politicians will not be allowed to continue operating within Cambodia. He, therefore, appealed for widespread public support to preserve peace and political stability.
Hun Sen noted in a separate social media post that the government has introduced a policy to establish more factories in Kampong Speu province. Located to the west of Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu shares its border with coastal Preah Sihanouk province and is now home to 191 factories and manufacturing enterprises that employ over 140,000 workers. They are paid over $451 million a year.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the garment workers constitute a significant political force.
“Given the economic interests involved, some opposition groups aim to leverage the power of these workers to incite protests against the government, resulting in political, social and economic chaos,” he told The Post on June 27.
“The prime minister needs to take preventative action to discourage such agitation from threatening stability and hindering production,” he added.
Touch Ser, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), also noted that Hun Sen has consistently encouraged workers to resist any influence from opposition groups in his meetings with them.
