NagaWorld workers to strike from December 18

A labour union leader has confirmed that NagaWorld workers will go on strike against the company plans to reduce pay and lay off employees.

Cambodia.- NagaWorld employees will start a strike on December 18 after government-mediated negotiations with the casino operator failed to bear fruit. In 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.

The company has launched a rationalisation programme that it says will help deliver continued financial stability over the long term. NagaCorp said close to 600 employees will lose their positions.

Sithar Chhim, a union leader, told GGRAsia between 1,500 to 2,000 former and current NagaWorld employees will participate in the strike. According to Chhim, it is estimated that approximately 70 per cent of those participating in the action are current employees.

The country’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has asked the union to delay the planned strike and to drop some of its demands. However, the union says the strike will go ahead.

Members of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld have 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.

Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in Cambodia, NagaWorld temporarily suspended operations voluntarily on 2 March 2021. The casino venue reopened in September after being closed for nearly six months.