Protesting NagaWorld workers were able to breeze past police barriers usually set up to block them and were allowed to resume their protest outside the casino complex, as a visiting UN official observed them.
Around 120 workers walked around three layers of unmanned barricades on Sothearos and Sihanouk boulevards on Wednesday and continued their protest outside NagaWorld 1 casino. They are demanding that around 200 workers be reinstated, after more than 1,300 were fired by the casino corporation last year. Protests have taken place on and off since December 2021.
This was in sharp contrast to the last few months where police and security guards have been quick to block workers with the same barricades and, on occasion, have used violence against workers.
The UN special rapporteur for Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, is currently visiting the country and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday morning. Muntarbhorn was present at the workers’ protest on Wednesday and monitored members of the NagaWorld union.
Ven Ryna, a 36-year-old worker at the protest, said police and authorities were present at the protest but did not block them and only took photos of the workers.
“We walked to the barricades and found a small clearing. So, we walked through it,” Ryna said.
“I wondered why no one stopped us. Every time they stop us. But we realized that one of the UN special rapporteur came to observe us here.”
Even with the rapporteur in the country, Ryna was not hopeful of a resolution to the monthslong dispute.
VOD could not reach Phnom Penh deputy governor Keut Chhe, and capital spokesperson Met Measpheakdey said he was unaware of Wednesday’s events at the protest.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Sen said foreign investors did not like labor protests and unions should be able to advocate for their demands. He ordered the Labor Ministry to resolve labor disputes rather than wait for it to reach his cabinet.
“I announce to the Ministry of Labor to pay attention to solve any problems of the workers. I heard that they put petitions to the cabinet,” he said.
Hun Sen did not make any specific references to worker protests, but did allude to workers from Canteran Apparel who have camped outside the shuttered factory to prevent the owner from selling equipment. They alleged the owner is moving equipment to a new factory and has not settled their dues.
