Better Factories in Cambodia Reports Improved Labour Law Compliance

Tuesday 18th of August 2009 03:25:00 AM

Better Factories in Cambodia Reports Improved Labour Law Compliance

Better Factories of Cambodia is an organization that is dedicated to monitoring factory compliance with international labour laws. The watchdog group reports violations in worker safety and looks for working conditions that are inhumane. For example, the use of child labour to make all types of clothing such as wholesale sweatshirts is monitored and the number of hours employees are expected to work is verified. The group works with exporting companies who are required to register with the International Labour Organisation.

The problem is that many other factories not required to register with the ILO are continuing to jeopardize worker safety with inhumane working conditions. The registered factories are showing improved compliance but many other factories are not being reviewed. The recession has placed financial pressures on all factories leading to new violations in apparel manufacturers. It is estimated that 60,000 apparel manufacturing jobs in Cambodia have been lost due to cutbacks. Some people believe the number is much higher and the 60,000 only represents monitored factories.

In Cambodia, the factories not being held to ILO standards include those that work on sub-contract to the larger monitored factories. Because they subcontract, the businesses slip through the cracks and are not required to register with the ILO. But if these factories are to meet global standards for humane working conditions, they will need to be included in the ILO review process.

Better Factories also has reviewed the apparel industry strikes and reports they have increased from 12 strikes to 23 strikes in the 1st half of 2009. The strikes are slowing production and hurting the Cambodian manufacturing industry. Product buyers can simply buy their clothing and textiles from other countries including India and Bangladesh.

For the year, 78 factories have shut down leading to a 30 percent decline in garment exports. The remaining factories have been asked to not lower wages any more to save money out of fairness to workers.