Cambodian garment manufacturers and the association that governs them are failing to meet the standards set by UN’s Guiding Principles on business and human rights. This was evident by the lethal violence against workers during garment strikes in January, when five people were shot dead and scores wounded by state forces, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has said.

The Cambodian garment sector is ‘mired in ongoing human rights violations’ and the Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Cambodia (GMAC) has ‘refused to condemn the lethal use of force against striking workers,’ a briefing paper released by FIDH stated. “Cambodian manufacturers and GMAC have clearly failed to respect workers’ rights,” in light of the guiding UN principles, the statement said, adding, “Brands have failed to prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts by their business partners, and have failed to exercise leverage with Cambodian suppliers and business associations to prevent such abuses.”

In addition, the report says that over 100 GMAC-affiliated factories sued six of the trade unions involved in organizing December’s strikes. However, FIDH also adds that the “victims of state repression and companies’ retaliation following garment workers’ legitimate exercise of their right to strike” are unlikely to receive proper or fair redress though the courts.

Criticizing the report, GMAC Chairman Van Sou Ieng has said that FIDH must prove the allegations against the association and cannot accuse other without evidence, under the name of human rights.

He further said the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Better Factories Cambodia program has concluded every year for the past 12 years with 85 per cent of all the factories getting inspected in compliance with the labour law and the international core labour standards. He has also challenged the authors of the FIDH to identify another country with such a high rate of compliance.

www.fidh.org