Informal Economy

Cambodia Cambodia's Fainting Workers The Diplomat . (21 February 2012)
By Palatino, Mong.

Cambodia’s garment industry represents 90 percent of the country’s exports and employs more than 300,000 workers by some estimates. It survived the 2008 global financial crisis, although job losses were registered across all special economic zones. But despite its vital contribution to the local economy, the garment sector has been facing criticism that it has been able to maintain global competitiveness only at the expense of providing its labor force with better working conditions and benefits. Indeed, the statutory minimum wage of Cambodia’s garment workers is currently the lowest in the Mekong region.

Cambodia Gunfire Hits at Least 3 Striking Workers Outside Garment Factory in Eastern Cambodia Washington Post World . (20 February 2012)

At least three striking garment workers were wounded by gunshots Monday while protesting outside their factory in southeastern Cambodia. Keo Kong, police chief of Bavet town in Svay Rieng province, said three women were hurt, one seriously, by an unknown gunman who fired at them when the protest by more than 1,000 workers turned rowdy.

United States Ky. Garment Workers Won't Lose Jobs To Prisoners WLKY . (17 February 2012)

Workers at a small Kentucky garment factory that makes Air Force windbreakers can breathe easier now that Federal Prison Industries has decided against pursing the military contract so that prisoners could do the work.

China Worker rights: The Fruits of 1 Million's Labor Chicago Tribune . (19 February 2012)

Working conditions at one of Apple Inc.'s largest suppliers have come under intense scrutiny. At least 10 employees at China-based Foxconn Technology Group, which manufacturers the iPad and iPhone, committed suicide in 2010, inciting labor groups to criticize the supplier for making employees work long hours under unfair compensation.

Cambodia Officials Order Factory to Improve Conditions The Phnom Penh Post . (15 February 2012)
By Channyda, Chhay.

Officials from an inter-ministerial committee found yesterday that a garment factory in Sihanoukville where workers reportedly fainted and suffered from headaches and dizziness on Monday was poorly ventilated and unclean, as the number of workers who received medical treatment was increased to 201.

Cambodia Fainting at Factory Probed The Phnom Penh Post . (14 February 2012)
By Channyda, Chhay.

Labour officials are investigating why about 30 garment workers reportedly fainted and 130 others became dizzy at a factory in Preah Sihanouk province yesterday amid speculation that poor ventilation was to blame.

Cambodia Workers' Demands Granted The Phnom Penh Post . (14 February 2012)
By Nimol, Tip.

About 200 garment workers who began yesterday by striking outside their factory in the capital’s Dangkor district will return to work today after company officials acquiesced to their list of demands.

Swaziland Swazi Government Instigates Probe in Garment Sector Fibre2Fashion . (13 February 2012)

The Swaziland Government has launched its first ever investigation into the country’s garment sector. Allegations related to exploitation and under payment to workers as well as poor working conditions in the country’s garment production units, prompted the Government to investigate into the matter, in cooperation with labour unions and the Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce (FSE&CC).

Cambodia Tribunal asks Cambodian Garment Makers to Hike Wages Fibre2Fashion . (13 February 2012)

Leading apparel factories in Cambodia have been asked to immediately raise salary of garment workers from current US$ 61 per month, by a panel of international as well as local judges.

India Garment Workers to Get 32% Wage Hike IBN Live . (14 February 2012)

The year-long wage revision dispute was finally put to rest on Sunday, as the Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), South Indian Imported Machine Knitters Association (SIMKA) and Knit Cloth Manufacturers Association (KNITcMA) agreed to implement a 32 per cent wage hike for its workers for the next four years, following fruitful talks at the District Collectorate on Sunday.

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