Mavericks Do Their Own Thing…
Since the postponed general strike in the garment sector from last week, yet another factory has walked out (see more HERE and HERE). For specific reasons, not related to the overall demand of $160? Officially yes. But what the workers from Gartha International are demanding is basically the same: they want more money and more consideration. The money they ask is 4000 Riel daily ($1.0) for food, a monthly $15 for transportation, $5 more for overtime, 4000 Riel for a meal when on overtime. The consideration they ask for translates into having one of the managers removed. There are 21 demands in total.
The violent crackdown on striking workers on January 2nd and 3rd, which resulted in at least 4 workers shot dead by the riot police, is of course an efficient deterrent to organise a nationwide strike. Again here, along Road Nr3, a truckload of riot police prevented the striking workers from blocking traffic. Stick your finger out and it is chopped off. That is the way it goes since nearly 2 months now. But still. Are a lot of mavericks together not stronger than a maverick here and there? Or is it a guerilla strategy?
This is a follow-up post on my ebook about the garment sector in Cambodia, ‘A Fine Thread’, which can be purchased for $4.99 at THIS LINK on the iTunes Store.
