BRIEFING

Women United for Labour Rights in Cambodia: Six Stories of Resistance

Released in November 2022
F T M

LICADHO is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by celebrating all women who are standing up for labour rights and fighting to end gender-based violence at work. In “Women United for Labour Rights in Cambodia”, LICADHO shares the stories and recommendations of six activists fighting as leaders and members of trade unions, associations and federations.

Together, they represent factory workers, sex workers, entertainment workers, casino workers, teachers, tuk tuk drivers, domestic workers and more. They are all calling out the violence and sexual harassment that their members face at the workplace.

“Women are increasingly on the frontlines of Cambodia’s labour rights movement,” said Naly Pilorge, Outreach Director of LICADHO. “They are standing up for the rights of workers who face all forms of exploitation.”

These activists have been fired, imprisoned, physically attacked, threatened and criticized for representing workers’ interests.

They have been told that as women they have no place in union leadership by their colleagues, communities and families.

“Women labour rights activists are facing harassment from employers and authorities, as well as criticism from society for taking on leadership roles,” said Am Sam Ath, Operations Director of LICADHO. “Their work must be recognised and supported.”

Despite the challenges, these labour rights activists stand strong in their commitment to speaking out and ensuring that everyone can work under fair and safe conditions, free from gender-based violence.

Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, which runs from 25 November to 10 December, LICADHO will also be releasing videos of these activists speaking out and resisting repression.

For more information, please contact:
  Am Sam Ath, Operations Director of LICADHO, on Signal at (+855) 10 327 770 (Khmer)
  Pilorge Naly, Outreach Director of LICADHO, on Signal at (+855) 12 214 454 (English)
  Kleang Soben, General Secretary of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), (+855) 81 525 461
  Ouk Chhayavy, President of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), (+855) 16 525 293
  Sarin Sovanny, Worker Organiser in Kampong Speu with the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU), (+855) 81 246 505
  Sok Sreyleap, Campaign Officer with Women’s Network for Unity (WNU), (+855) 99 323 892
  Sovann Vary, District Leader and Chief of the Women’s Committee with the Independent Democratic Association of Informal Economy (IDEA), (+855) 962 687 947

Resources

Prisoners of Interest

Read through the list of politicians, activists and unionists unjustly arrested for their peaceful activism.

Court Watch

Keep track of court cases against human rights defenders, environmental campaigners and political activists.

Right to Relief

An interactive research project focusing on over-indebted land communities struggling with microfinance debt.

Cambodia's Concessions

Use an interactive map to explore Cambodia’s land concessions.