About 150 workers at Timeless Fashion Clothing factory in Phnom Penh’s Por Senchey district on Tuesday night prevented a company truck from leaving the premise after they feared that they would not be paid.

Roeun Pith, one of the 500 workers working at the factory, said 150 workers came to the factory on Tuesday night in an attempt to stop the company’s truck from leaving the premise because they feared equipment would be shipped out of the factory without paying them.

“No clash occurred. We just stopped the company’s truck and asked them questions. Then the local officials came to intervene,” she said.

The workers said they demand each be paid $100 on August 15, and be given benefits if it will suspend its operation or shut down.

Following  negotiations yesterday with workers’ representative, the company promised to pay them, but no specific date has been set, according to Pith.

District governor Hem Darith said local officials helped solve workers’ issues.

“Please believe in officials as we can find solution for them,” Darith said.

Yesterday, the Labour Ministry announced that it doled out out-of-work allowances to 15,484 workers in both garment and tourism sector for 23 times.

On Tuesday, Minister Ith Samheng also urged local authorities to resolve all workers’ issues in accordance with the law when they protest to demand something.

He said when strikes and demonstrations occurred in local area, the commission for resolving strikes and demonstrations must solve each specific case and strive to resolve them as much as possible.

He said that local officials should find those who instigated the protests.

• Tags: Timeless Fashion Clothing factory, unpaid wages, workers