Phnom Penh (17 July 2013): Better Factories Cambodia released its 30th Synthesis Report on Working Conditions in Cambodia's Garment Sector on 17 July 2013.
BFC’s 30th Synthesis Report Highlights
Decline in Garment Sector Conditions Since 2011
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Improvements are not being made in key areas of
working conditions including fire safety, child labor, and worker safety and
health according to the latest Synthesis Report released by the International
Labour Organization’s Better Factories Cambodia program (BFC).
BFC’s latest Synthesis Report compares its most recent data on garment
sector conditions to data collected over the past eight years and finds that
conditions have been declining in several key areas since 2011.
“Release of our 30th Synthesis Report provides us with the opportunity to
take a long term view. Unfortunately, our data shows that following steady
improvement in working conditions from 2005 to 2011, conditions are now
declining. Some of the non-compliance may be attributed to the industry’s rapid
growth since 2011. Still, all stakeholders need to take stronger steps to halt
the downward trend. If not, Cambodia runs the risk of forfeiting the advantages
that accrue to a reputation for decent working conditions” said Jill Tucker,
Chief Technical Advisor of ILO-Better Factories Cambodia.
She continued: “While 25 percent of the factories featured in this report
are new –having had only one assessment -- more than half have been monitored by
BFC at least five times. These factories have had many opportunities to correct
areas of non-compliance.”
While the report documents some improvements involving the proper payment
of wages and benefits, non-compliance in areas related to the industry’s
fainting problem and in worker health and safety issues remains significant. The
report also notes that of the 40 strikes taking place during the reporting
period, 100% of them failed to comply with all legal requirements.
In the report’s Conclusion and Next Steps section, BFC outlines actions
that can be taken by industry stakeholders including the Royal Government of
Cambodia, the Garment Manufacturer’s Association in Cambodia, international
buyers, trade unions and civil society groups, to help secure positive changes.
This section also outlines actions that BFC has taken or will take to help drive
compliance.
The 30th Synthesis Report reflects compliance data from monitoring reports
completed between November 1, 2012 and April 30, 2013. During this six-month
period, Better Factories Cambodia produced monitoring reports for 152 garment
factories and three footwear factories.
To download the 30th Synthesis Report on Working Conditions in Cambodia’s
garment sector in Khmer or English, visit www.betterfactories.org.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Tivea Koam
Communications Assistant
Email: tivea@ilo.org
Tel: (855) 23 212 847
Mr. Tivea Koam
Communications Assistant
Email: tivea@ilo.org
Tel: (855) 23 212 847
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