The ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), which represents 180 million workers in 162 countries, has protested against the approval of a new Trade Union Law by the National Assembly of Cambodia this week. The law was pushed through despite repeated objections by trade unions, the International Labour Organization and several global garment brands.

The law, backed by Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party, would among other things impose new limits on the right to strike, facilitate government intervention in internal union affairs and permit third parties to seek the dissolution of trade unions .It would impose only miniscule penalties on employers for unfair labour practices. Trade unionists who peacefully protested at the time of the vote on the new law were bludgeoned by the government .

According to Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, "Cambodia, with the backing of a retrograde local garment industry federation, has pushed back against decent working conditions at every opportunity. If it does not reverse this course soon, the country will find itself at the margins of the global garment industry at tremendous cost to the economy, which is heavily reliant on this sector.”

Major companies know the risks, of doing business on the back of worker repression, and consumers everywhere are increasingly alert to the kind of inhuman treatment in global supply chains that this legislation means. Many feel the the violence and judicial harassment perpetrated by the government against those who stand up for fundamental rights guaranteed under international law must end.

The ITUC represents 180 million workers in 162 countries and territories and has 333 national affiliates.