Retailers like New Look and Inditex want the Cambodian government to ensure better treatment of garment factory workers in the country. Workers campaigning for an increase in the national minimum wage and improved working conditions in factories have faced detention and intimidation. A series of mass faintings at clothing factories have also highlighted their poor conditions.

Global brands say that if they are to continue sourcing from Cambodia political stability and respect for human and worker rights are essential. In the past few months striking garment workers, who want their monthly minimum wage to double, have faced brutal action by police with at least five workers dead. Some workers involved in the protests have been dismissed and some factory owners have responded to protests with lawsuits against union leaders.

An estimated 4,00,000 people, mostly women, work in Cambodia's garment factories which are the country's biggest export earner. The majority of Cambodia’s exports to the European Union, over 89 per cent, are of textiles such as garments and shoes.

Advocacy groups are urging clothing brands to review their purchasing practices and take action to ultimately end low wages, which are at the root of the bloody demonstrations in Cambodia.