In Cambodia, over 1,000 garment workers submitted a petition to the Labor Ministry seeking intervention in the suspension of workers who allege that they were singled out for being involved with a local union. The petition called for the reinstatement of the ten workers affected and increased protection for workers’ rights. Workers began striking last week for the right to take leave to vote in the commune elections, and extended the strike after finding out about the worker suspensions. The workers’ union has been absent throughout the dispute; many workers believe they have been coerced into joining the government-backed union, which has deducted pay from non-members and often sided with decisions made by the factory rather than represent the interests of workers.
See "Worker strike highlights factory union concerns", Chhorn Phearun, Hannah Hawkins, Cambodia Daily, June 9, 2017