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Dhamma talk by Maha Thera Dr. Hok Savann December 30, 2017
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Reader: សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មីឆ្នាំសកល ២០១៨
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kethyasean «សិរីសួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី» និពន្ធទំនុកច្រៀងនិងច្រៀងដោយនាងខ្ញុំ ស៊ា...
#Kethya.sean 31 12 17
សួស្តីប្រិយមិត្តជាទីរាប់អាន!!
សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មីឆ្នាំសកល ២០១៨
«សូមជូននាទីតន្រ្តីប្រចាំថ្ងៃអាទិត្យ»
សូមជូនចម្រៀងស្នេហាជាតិ១បទក្រោមចំណងជើងថា«សិរីសួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី»
និពន្ធទំនុកច្រៀងនិងច្រៀងដោយនាងខ្ញុំ ស៊ានកេត្យា
នាងខ្ញុំសូមថ្លែងអំណរគុណដល់ការគាំទ្ររបស់លោកអ្នក
សូមឲ្យលោកអ្នកនិងក្រុមជួបតែសំណាងល្អ
និងសេចក្តីសុខសេចក្តីចំរើនតរៀងទៅ
នាងខ្ញុំស៊ាន កេត្យាសូមអរគុណនិងសូមគោរពលា
ជួបគ្នានូវវិដេអូក្រោយៗទៀត
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សាសន៍មួយស្ទួយខ្លួនមិនបាន!
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UN chief issues 'red alert' for the world
As the world began to ring in 2018, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for global unity to overcome growing challenges. In his New Year message on Sunday, Guterres said the world appeared to have "gone in reverse" before adding, "On New Year's Day 2018 I am not issuing an appeal, I am issuing an alert -- a red alert for our world." He continued: "As we begin 2018, I call for unity. ... We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values. But we can only do that together." Reflecting on his January message when he assumed the secretary-general position -- in which he called for peace -- Guterres said that conflicts have deepened, global anxieties about nuclear weapons have increased, inequalities have grown and nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise. He stressed cooperation and collaboration should be the way forward in 2018, saying: "Unity is the path. Our future depends on it."
He then urged leaders "everywhere to make this New Year's resolution: Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals."
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យួនូបនីយកម្មកម្ពុជាភាគបញ្ចប់? VIETNAMIZATION OF CAMBODIA FINAL STAGE? (ដោយ អ៊ុម-ហាក់)
យួនូបនីយកម្មកម្ពុជាភាគបញ្ចប់?
VIETNAMIZATION OF CAMBODIA FINAL STAGE? (ដោយ អ៊ុម-ហាក់)
ថ្មីៗនេះអសុរាកញ្ជះដាច់ថ្លៃរបស់យួនបានព្រលយពាក្យមួយផ្សេងទៀតចង់ស្នើវិសោធនកម្មរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ អនុញ្ញាតឱ្យវា នាយករដ្ឋមន្រ្តី ចោរប្លន់អាចតែងតាំងឬដកតំណែងរដ្ឋលេខាធិការនិងអនុរដ្ឋលេ
ខាធិការដោយមិនចាំបាច់សុំអនុញ្ញាតពីសភាឬប្រថាប់ត្រាស្តេចខ្មែរឡើយ។
អសុរាចង់បានស្អី?
បណ្ឌិតមួយចំនួនបានធ្វើវិភាគស្ថានការណ៍តាមយោបល់រៀងៗខ្លួន ទាស់តែអស់លោកអាចមិនទាន់ស្គាល់ហើយត្រូវរៀនពីកុម្មុយនិស្តនិងហ៊ុនសែនបន្ថែម។ ខ្ញុំចង់ណែនាំបងប្អូនខ្មែរល្ងង់ខ្លៅដូចរូបខ្ញុំ សូមពិចារណាខ្លួនឯងដោយ‹‹ប្រើបញ្ញា››។ តើអសុរាចង់ត្រឹមតែក្តាប់អំណាចផ្តាច់ការរបស់វាដូចការវិភាគរបស់បណ្ឌិតខ្លះនោះមែនឬ? អំណាចរបស់វាពេញដៃរួចទៅហើយ វាចង់ធ្វើអ្វីក៏បានតាមចំណង់ វាបញ្ជាសភាទាំងពីរបាន វាបញ្ជាតុលាការបាន វាបញ្ជាស្តេចខ្មែរក៏បាន តើវាខ្វះស្អី? ហេតុអីវាត្រូវការធ្វើវិសោធនកម្មរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញ គ្រាន់តែទាមទារអ្វីដែលវាមានក្នុងដៃរួចទៅហើយគឺអំណាចតែងតាំងឬដក តំណែងរដ្ឋលេខាធិការនិងអនុរដ្ឋលេខាធិការប៉ុណ្ណោះ?
ទ្រឹស្តីវិទ្យាសាស្រ្តនយោបាយមហាវិទ្យាល័យប្រឡាយទឹកស្អុយបានចែង ថា គ្មាននរណាទាមទាររបស់អ្វីដែលគេមានក្នុងដៃរួចទៅហើយនោះទេ។ ក្មេងក៏វាមិនដែលទារនំដែលនៅក្នុងដៃវាស្រាប់នោះដែរ។ តើអសុរាចង់បានស្អីពិតប្រាកដ?
សូមស្នើសេណារីយ៉ូមួយយកទៅគិតលេង។ អសុរាអាចបង្ហោះបាល់ឡុងស្ទាបស្ទង់ធាតុអាកាសមើលជាជំហានដំបូង។ នឹងធ្វើវិសោធនកម្មរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញបានត្រូវមានការគាំទ្រ២ភាគបីនៃសមាជិកសភា ស្របច្បាប់។ ក្រឡេកមើលសភាសព្វថ្ងៃ គឺជាសភាខុសច្បាប់ ជាសភា ចោររួបរួមដោយបក្សចោរប្លន់ប្រជាជននិងបក្សស៊ីពែដឹកនាំដោយសម្តេចផ្លោកគាំទ្រអសុរា១០០ភាគរយ ហេតុនេះទើបអសុរាល្បង ឈានជំហានទីមួយ បើបានសម្រេចវានឹងឈានជំហានបញ្ចប់។ តាមយោបល់ទន់ខ្សោយរបស់ខ្ញុំ ជំហានបញ្ចប់នោះគឺវិសោធនកម្មមាត្រា២នៃរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញស្តីពីបូរណភាពទឹកដីខ្មែរ ដែលមានបណ្ឌិត ផ្លោកមួយជំនួនគាំទ្រ។ អសុរាធ្វើបានឬអត់? បើវាធ្វើបានដូចបំណងវានោះ យួនូបនីយកម្មទឹកដីខ្មែរនឹងដល់វគ្គបញ្ចប់ហើយ។ សល់តែសំនួរមួយគត់ តើសំណល់បក្សសង្រ្គោះជាតិបានគ្រោងយុទ្ធសាស្រ្តទប់ទល់ម្តេចទៅហើយ? អាចឱ្យដឹងផងបានទេ???
អ៊ុម ហាក់ ១មករា២០១៨
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Reatrey mot stung Sangkae រាត្រីមាត់ស្ទឹងសង្កែ
Reatrey mot stung Sangkae រាត្រីមាត់ស្ទឹងសង្កែ by Sinn Sisamuth ស៊ីន ស៊ីសាមុត
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សូមលើកដៃបួងសួងដល់វត្ថុស័កសិទ្ធក្នុងលោក ប្រសទ្ធិពរជ័យ សេរីំមង្គល សេរីសួស្តី
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Luckless duo hauled in after phone grab
Kong Meta | The Phnom Penh Post
Publication date 01 January 2018 | 18:32 ICT
Two suspects’ second effort at thievery didn’t work out as well as the first after they were arrested in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
Police said the moto-mounted pair zipped by a tourist on the street, snatching the phone from his hands.
Nearby cops, however, gave chase and netted both suspects.
The men reportedly confessed to cops that not only had they grabbed the phone, they snatched a foreign woman’s bag a couple months back too.
National Police
Publication date 01 January 2018 | 18:32 ICT
Two suspects’ second effort at thievery didn’t work out as well as the first after they were arrested in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
Police said the moto-mounted pair zipped by a tourist on the street, snatching the phone from his hands.
Nearby cops, however, gave chase and netted both suspects.
The men reportedly confessed to cops that not only had they grabbed the phone, they snatched a foreign woman’s bag a couple months back too.
National Police
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Judicial officials promoted
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| Seng Leang, pictured here at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, was one of almost 100 judges promoted in a sweep of judicial pay rises. Many of the prosecutors and judges rewarded have handed down controversial decisions that directly benefit the ruling party. ECCC |
Mech Dara | The Phnom Penh Post
Publication date 01 January 2018 | 07:07 ICT
A number of Cambodian judges have been handed promotions after securing controversial rulings in cases that directly benefit the ruling party, sparking the ire of Cambodia’s recently outlawed opposition.
In a royal decree signed by the King on December 27, 123 judges and 72 prosecutors were bumped up the ranks of the judiciary, with a pay rise to match, Justice Ministry spokesman Chin Malin confirmed.
Among the promoted judges was Seng Leang, the investigating judge who secured a guilty verdict for Oeut Ang, known as “Choub Samlab”, or “Meet to Kill”. Ang was convicted for the daylight shooting of political analyst Kem Ley, which several observers viewed as politically motivated and orchestrated by the government.
Kung Lean Meng was also promoted, and has presided over controversial cases involving the imprisonment of human rights defenders the “Adhoc 5”, and of former opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour.
Lean Meng has also been involved in cases against broadcaster Mam Sonando, former Cambodia National Rescue Party President Sam Rainsy and his successor, Kem Sokha, who was jailed in September on allegations of “treason”.
Both Judge Pol Samoeun, who is connected to the case of jailed land rights activist Tep Vanny, and Judge Ros Piseth, who has been involved in cases against Rainsy, outspoken political analyst Kim Sok, and Khmer Power Party leader Souen Serey Ratha, also received promotions.
Meanwhile Ky Rithy, who was involved in cases against Sokha and Sok, was also promoted. Despite the King having previously ordered an investigation into Judge Keo Mony after he questioned a political activist without a lawyer present, he too received a promotion.
Another notable promotion includes that of Kampong Speu Deputy Court Director Men Vannak, who stands accused of drawing a pistol on a disabled employee.
Rainsy, who just last Friday was convicted in a fresh defamation case, said the round of promotions “shows how Cambodia’s existing court is politically subservient, cheap and despicable”.
“It deprives this judiciary of any credibility,” he said. “But it pushes the Cambodian people to revolt against the system.”
CNRP Deputy President Mu Sochua, who fled the country fearing arrest in October, said such promotions stemmed from a corrupt system. “It’s part of the culture of total and unquestionable allegiance to the supreme leader. No hope for judiciary reforms, no hope for justice until there’s a fundamental change of such a culture,” she said.
But Malin said that the promotions were due to “achievement”, and were “not based on their networks”.
Boeung Kak representative Chan Puthisak said the promotions were unfair to activists, human rights defenders and the opposition, and only encouraged court officials to follow the ruling party.
Additional reporting by Erin Handley
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Thrift store thief caught in act by owner’s wife
Kong Meta | The Phnom Penh Post
Publication date 01 January 2018 | 18:34 ICT
A young woman was arrested for robbing a second-hand clothing vendor while she pretended to shop for underwear in the capital’s Russey Keo district this week.
As the woman was sifting through the vendors offerings, she snagged some cash the vendor was keeping in a glass box.
She obviously wasn’t sneaky enough, however, as the vendor’s wife spotted her. The woman was immediately detained, and reportedly confessed to ripping off the shop twice before.
Kampuchea Thmey
Publication date 01 January 2018 | 18:34 ICT
A young woman was arrested for robbing a second-hand clothing vendor while she pretended to shop for underwear in the capital’s Russey Keo district this week.
As the woman was sifting through the vendors offerings, she snagged some cash the vendor was keeping in a glass box.
She obviously wasn’t sneaky enough, however, as the vendor’s wife spotted her. The woman was immediately detained, and reportedly confessed to ripping off the shop twice before.
Kampuchea Thmey
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Detained Cambodian opposition leader calls for free and fair vote
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| Supporters of Kem Sokha, leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), stand outside the Appeal Court during a bail hearing for the jailed opposition leader in Phnom Penh, Cambodia September 26, 2017. REUTERS/Samrang Pring |
By Prak Chan Thul Reuters1 January 2018
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's detained opposition leader Kem Sokha called for free and fair elections in the Southeast Asian country in a New Year's message on Monday.
Kem Sokha, head of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was arrested in September.
He is accused of trying to overthrow the government of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen with American help and of espionage - charges he denies and says are politically motivated.
In a two-page letter read by his daughter Kem Monovithya and posted on Facebook on Monday, Kem Sokha said Cambodia faces losing aid and its export markets abroad as well as condemnation by the international community after the CNRP's dissolution.
"Leave an opportunity for people to choose leadership representatives through an election that is free and fair," Kem Sokha said, calling for national unity and non-violence to solve the political crisis.
His message comes amid an ongoing crackdown by Cambodia's government on critics, civil society groups and independent media that rights group say amounts to the destruction of democracy.
Kem Sokha's CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November at the request of the government. The decision also banned more than 100 opposition lawmakers from politics.
That prompted the European Union and the United States to withdraw their support of the 2018 election.
Cambodia will hold a general election on July 29. Hun Sen has vowed to extend his more than 30 years in power by at least another decade.
Kem Sokha said 2017 was marked by big political crises that led to a "democracy walked backward."
A spokesman from Hun Sen's ruling party, Sok Eysan said there was little interest in Kem Sokha's new year message, adding that opposition politicians could create a new party.
"They have the political rights as citizens ... to create a new party to compete," Sok Eysan told Reuters.
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Iran unrest: 'Ten dead' in further protests overnight
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been tweeting in support of protesters in Iran, continued into the New Year, describing the country as "failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration.""The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years," he wrote. "They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!"
Ten people have been killed overnight in anti-government protests sweeping Iran, according to state TV. "In the events of last night, unfortunately a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities," it said. At least 12 people have now died since protests began on Thursday. On Monday, President Hassan Rouhani said the protests and criticism were an opportunity, not a threat. He said the country should work together to fix its economic problems. He said: "Our nation will deal with this minority who chant slogans against the law and people's wishes, and insult the sanctities and values of the revolution." Mr Rouhani had previously said that citizens were free to protest, but not violently. US President Donald Trump continued his war of words with Iran's leaders on Monday, posting a tweet saying the "great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food and freedom". 'Vandals' Protests in Iran had continued overnight. Police used tear gas and water cannon to quell a rally in Tehran's Engheleb Square and demonstrations were reported in Kermanshah and Khorramabad in the west, Shahinshahr in the north-west and the northern city of Zanjan.
The demonstrations, which erupted on Thursday in Iran's second city of Mashhad, are the biggest show of dissent seen since the huge rallies of the Green Movement were brutally suppressed in 2009.
Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli-Larijani called for a crackdown on "rioters" and "vandals" on Monday, according to state television.
"Some individuals are exploiting the situation. This is wrong," he said.
State TV said armed protesters had tried to take over some police stations and military bases, but faced serious resistance from security forces.
How have authorities responded to protests?
Mr Rouhani has acknowledged popular grievances, though he warned that the government would show "no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society".
And Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned anti-government protesters they will face the nation's "iron fist" if political unrest continues.
The IRGC is a powerful force with ties to the country's supreme leader, and is dedicated to preserving the country's Islamic system. Correspondents say it would be a significant escalation were they to become officially involved in policing the protests.
Up to 400 people are reported to have been arrested in recent days, including 200 in Tehran on Saturday night.
And authorities continue to sporadically suspend social media websites they fear will be used to organise protests, including Telegram and Instagram.
State media have now begun broadcasting some footage on the protests, though focuses on young men attacking banks and vehicles or burning the Iranian flag, reported AFP news agency.
On Sunday police used water cannon to disperse protesters at a major intersection, as captured in a video obtained by BBC Persian.
Where will the protests lead?
Analysis by Kasra Naji, BBC Persian
There is widespread and seething discontent in Iran where repression is pervasive and economic hardship is getting worse - one BBC Persian investigation has found that on average Iranians have become 15% poorer in the past 10 years.
Protests have remained confined to relatively small pockets of mostly young male demonstrators who are demanding the overthrow of the clerical regime.
They have spread to small towns throughout the country and have the potential to grow in size.
But there is no obvious leadership. Opposition figures have long been silenced or sent into exile.
Some protesters have been calling for the return of the monarchy and the former shah's son, Reza Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the United States, has issued a statement supporting the demonstrations. But there are signs that he is as much in the dark about where these protests are going as anyone else.
BBC Persian, which broadcasts on TV, on radio and online from London, is banned in Iran - where staff and their families routinely face harassment and questioning from the authorities.
What about Rouhani's war of words with Trump?
Mr Rouhani described the US president as an "enemy of the Iranian nation from the top of his head to his very toes".
He said the "man who today in America wants to sympathise with our people has forgotten that a few months ago he called the nation of Iran terrorist".
Mr Trump has sent various tweets criticising Iran's leaders since the protests began.
He said Iranians were "finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism".
His tweet on Monday said in capital letters "TIME FOR CHANGE!"
What happened in 2009?
Mass demonstrations - referred to as the Green Movement - were held by millions of opposition supporters against the disputed election victory of incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
At least 30 people were killed and thousands arrested in the wave of protests, which drew the largest crowds in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
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Dhamma talk by Maha Thera Dr. Hok Savann December 31, 2017
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If you see this on your Walmart receipt call the police immediately
(by Chou Leang Hak)
I never knew this problem existed. So, today I found it from youtube and would like to share with everyone. About Walmart I also have bad shopping experience there occasionally. For example: a mango that marked down 88 cents a piece would scan $1.49. And a pack of large shrimp in a row that marked $5 & something would scan more than $7. Shopping online with Walmart I had a bad experience as well. And that problem cost me $10-$13, I could not remember exactly, and it had not been solved. Imagine if you are caught shoplifting for ten dollars from Walmart. You won't go home, right? You'll be in jail with big fine and a record that would ruin your reputation for life. So, the question is "is it fair for Walmart to refund you that $10 with an apology and every thing will be ok?"
Also watch out for your bank accounts online; either savings or checking. You should carefully check it daily line by line. Years ago I found a charge of $ 49 to my checking account. It's a charge that appeared "out of the blue" and I did not recognize it. It caused me frustration. But after I went to the bank and talked to the bank manager, or loan officer, I got my money back. No body went to jail in that case. Bad people do not have shame in stealing your money like those who'd steal ID from everyone else when they can. យ៉ាប់!
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សត្វតិរច្ឆាន
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| Australian man James Bernard King was arrested on Thursday for unlawfully detaining three women and demanding sex from two of them. National police |
(by Chou Leang Hak)
គ្រោះអាសន្នធំ!!
RE: Aussie arrested after allegedly detaining girlfriend
ជាប់គុកពី១ឆ្នាំទៅ៣ឆ្នាំ?? មិនត្រឹមត្រូវទេ!! នេះជាបទឧក្រឹដ្ឋធន់ធ្ងន់បំផុតមួយ ដែលមនុស្សទន់ខ្សោយ ម្នាក់ឬច្រើននាក់ អាចទទួលគ្រោះកាច ស្លាប់បាត់បង់ជីវិត បើគ្មានអ្នកណាបានដឹងឮទាន់ពេលវេលា!!!
សូមកុំដោះលែងអាតិរច្ឆាននេះឱ្យសោះ។ លើពិភពលោកទាំងមូល នរណាក៏ស្អប់ជនប្រភេទនេះដែរ។ នេះជាសញ្ញាច្បាស់លាស់មួយ ដែលថា ក្នុងមួយជីវិតវា អាកញ្ចាស់នេះ អាចបានប្រព្រឹត្តិឧក្រឹដ្ឋកម្មដទៃទៀត ដែលគ្មានគេឯងដឹងឮ។ សូមកុំដោះលែងវាឱ្យសោះ ដើម្បីសេចក្តីសុខដល់មនុស្សឯទៀត ជាទូទៅ។
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Will 2018 Be the Year of CHANGE?
KhmerPAC | 01 Monday Jan 2018
My dear Kacvey,
Let just run through some of the years when radical CHANGES took place in Khmer history for your students’ young memory:
1953: Cambodia became independent from France’s protectorate.
1970: Coup d’etat and the establishment of the Khmer Republic.
1975: Fall of the Khmer Republic and the establishment of the genocidal Democratic Kampuchea.
1979: Fall of the Democratic Kampuchea and the establishment of People’s Republic of Kampuchea supported by Vietnam. Between 1989 and 1993, People’s Republic of Kampuchea changed its name to the pro-Hanoi State of Cambodia. In 1993, after UNTAC, State of Cambodia changed its name to Kingdom of Cambodia.
Whereas 2016 was a year of mortal repression, 2017 was even worst when Democracy and Freedom were savagely murdered by a combined legislative-executive-judiciary force that was authored, orchestrated and meticulously choreographed by the autocrat. The fatal date was 16 November 2017, Cambodia’s democracy and freedom’s Ides of March.
From 1953 to 2017, 4 names are notorious in the history and tragedy of Cambodia: Prince Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pol Pot and the current so-called weak and selfish strongman. None of them came to power through the free will or the rights to choose of the Khmer people; all of them came to power through violence, bloodshed, war and collaboration with foreigners. The first 3 stuck to the seat of power until they were ousted by the next one who happened to be within their circle. Do your students know where they now are?
If past is prologue, and as Karl Marx, once, said: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce”, what will the fate of the 4th one be in 2018?
Martin Luther King, Jr. warned all of us that “we are not makers of history; we are made by history.”
My dear Kacvey,
Let just run through some of the years when radical CHANGES took place in Khmer history for your students’ young memory:
1953: Cambodia became independent from France’s protectorate.
1970: Coup d’etat and the establishment of the Khmer Republic.
1975: Fall of the Khmer Republic and the establishment of the genocidal Democratic Kampuchea.
1979: Fall of the Democratic Kampuchea and the establishment of People’s Republic of Kampuchea supported by Vietnam. Between 1989 and 1993, People’s Republic of Kampuchea changed its name to the pro-Hanoi State of Cambodia. In 1993, after UNTAC, State of Cambodia changed its name to Kingdom of Cambodia.
Whereas 2016 was a year of mortal repression, 2017 was even worst when Democracy and Freedom were savagely murdered by a combined legislative-executive-judiciary force that was authored, orchestrated and meticulously choreographed by the autocrat. The fatal date was 16 November 2017, Cambodia’s democracy and freedom’s Ides of March.
From 1953 to 2017, 4 names are notorious in the history and tragedy of Cambodia: Prince Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pol Pot and the current so-called weak and selfish strongman. None of them came to power through the free will or the rights to choose of the Khmer people; all of them came to power through violence, bloodshed, war and collaboration with foreigners. The first 3 stuck to the seat of power until they were ousted by the next one who happened to be within their circle. Do your students know where they now are?
If past is prologue, and as Karl Marx, once, said: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce”, what will the fate of the 4th one be in 2018?
Martin Luther King, Jr. warned all of us that “we are not makers of history; we are made by history.”
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Factory workers to continue protest
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| Workers plan to resume protesting on Tuesday despite the order. Supplied |
Mom Kunthear / Khmer Times, January 1, 2018
Workers at an apparel factory in Kandal province will continue protests this week despite being ordered back to work last week.
Gawon Apparel Factory workers were ordered by Kandal Provincial Court last Wednesday to return to work within 48 hours or face lawful consequences.
The workers have been staging protests for many months, and despite the order, say they will resume protesting on Tuesday.
Long Sarath, the court bailiff who signed the order, said protesters must return to work as normal.
“Protesters have to go back to work within 48 hours of receiving the order, those who do not will be making a serious mistake,” he said.
Mr Sarath said protesters and officials from the Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union must stop their activities and stop inciting other workers to join the protest, as well as clear the factory’s gate and stop blocking the public road.
“If they do not follow this order, they will be held responsible by law,” he said.
A worker who asked not to be named said yesterday that they returned to work as ordered, but only worked two days and will resume protests on Tuesday.
“We are not happy with the court order because it is unjust for us as workers. The factory took the machines out during the dispute, and the case has not been solved,” she said.
She said protests will continue until their demands are met.
“We are not in the wrong, because we followed the court order to be back to work within 48 hours, but we will continue protesting next week,” she said.
She added several workers were still sleeping in front of the factory to prevent more machinery from being removed.
Two weeks ago, protesters ended the road block while waiting for resolution from the arbitration council, but kept protesting by gathering at the factory’s entrance.
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Workers block road in protest
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| Workers block the road while protesting against the factory. Supplied |
Sen David / Khmer Times, December 31, 2017
Nearly 7,000 factory workers in Pursat province’s Krakor district blocked National Road 5 on Saturday evening, demanding improved working conditions.
The workers, from Taieasy International Co Ltd, decided to block the road after protesting in front of the factory for four days without any resolution.
According to the workers’ petition, they have 12 demands, which include creating a union in the factory.
Additional demands include asking the company to be lenient over employee absences in cases when workers have family problems, suggesting that managers not look down on workers, asking the company not to fire anyone without reason and asking them to not cut bonuses.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said they asked the company to create a union in order to defend workers’ rights.
“We have many issues with the company over working conditions. We need to create a union in the factory to protect our rights,” she said.
Deputy provincial governor Leng Kimleang said authorities will work with the company to find a solution on Tuesday.
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New worker benefits take effect
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| Garment workers wait to listen to Prime Minister Hun Sen speak at an event in September. Garment workers, village and commune chiefs, and informal workers are set to get new benefits this year under a dramatic expansion of the NSSF. facebook |
Yon Sineat and Daphne Chen | The Phnom Penh Post
Publication date 02 January 2018 | 06:54 ICT
A slew of new health and maternity benefits for workers took effect at the stroke of midnight yesterday in a dramatic expansion of the country’s social security framework, even as labour advocates and business experts raised concerns about cost and quality.
“More people who receive services or are covered by social protection is a good point,” said Moeun Tola, executive director of labour NGO Central. “But what we need to see is the effectiveness of the services.”
As part of a raft of promises made by Prime Minister Hun Sen last year, garment workers will enjoy expanded health and maternity benefits in 2018. But changes announced in October by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) mean that informal workers such as maids and construction workers are also eligible for the same benefits, paid for by the NSSF. The expanded perks also apply to local government officials like village chiefs and commune councillors.
In addition, under changes made in November, firms employing as few as one employee are now required to register with the NSSF and will receive workers’ injury compensation and health insurance.
In an open letter published Sunday, Labour Minister Ith Sam Heng warned that employers who failed to register their workers could face legal charges. He also urged informal workers to “please hurry and register”.
However, labour advocates questioned the quality of services provided by NSSF. Kao Poeun, project coordinator at the Informal Democratic Economy Association (IDEA), a labour group that represents tuk-tuk drivers and small tradesmen, said the NSSF needs to speed up the registration process.
According to Poeun, IDEA submitted its registration documents a month ago but has yet to hear back.
“The Ministry of Labour claims that informal workers will get benefits starting at midnight on December 31, but in practicality there is a long process to go,” Poeun said.
Central’s Tola noted that many workers covered by the NSSF still complain about quality of care in state hospitals. The goal is “not only put people into the system, but then the people are still not enjoying the services of the system,” he said.
Labour Ministry spokesman Heng Sour said yesterday the NSSF “is ready to provide the service to all its members”.
But business leaders also raised concerns that the dramatic expansions of benefits for garment workers will slow down Cambodia’s economy.
As of yesterday, employers are required to cover the entirety of the cost of health insurance for their workers, instead of splitting it evenly.
“Socially and politically it’s good, but for business and economy it’s going to be tough,” said Van Sou Ieng, chairman of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia.
He expressed apprehension that, because informal workers like maids or tuk-tuk drivers do not have to pay a fee to the NSSF, companies are effectively subsidising their costs by contributing for insurance.
“Sooner or later, [the NSSF] will raise contribution rates,” Sou Ieng said. “People who want to invest in Cambodia will not wish to pay such a cost – that is what I foresee.”
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