15 NagaWorld workers arrested during strikes

Cambodian officers arrested 15 NagaWorld employees who were striking at NagaWorld’s venue in Phnom Penh.

Cambodia.- NagaWorld union leader Sithar Chhim‘s fears of arrests came true as 15 NagaWorld workers were arrested by local officers during a recent strike.

A few weeks ago, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court had declared the strike illegal. But Sithar told Reuters nearly 300 employees continued striking despite the arrests.

Last June, NagaCorp confirmed plans to reduce pay and lay off employees in order to improve cost efficiency due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld previously demanded NagaWorld reverse redundancies and rehire some of those fired and increase the enhanced termination compensation for those workers who have already accepted severance arrangements.

Last December, the company released a statement clarifying that its operations have not been affected by the strike and stated the dispute with workers began when the company implemented an employee rationalization programme in a bid to improve cost and operational efficiency following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The programme included a mutual separation plan that affected 1,329 employees who would receive “enhanced compensation”. 

However, the company said 360 of its affected employees refused to accept the MSP and served notification of a potential strike on 18 December 2021.