So you think your underpaid - Cambodian garment works strike January 2014

Nationwide strike of the GMAC (Garment Manufactures of Cambodia) effecting 400 factories and 400,000 workers.They were seeking an increase in the minimum wage of $80.00 a month to $160.00 but the government countered with an increase of only $95.00 a month.

Amplifying  the situation the 10,000 plus striking workers joined forces with the governments political opposition group  CNRP (Cambodian National Rescue Party) protesting in Freedom park calling for a fresh national election and PM Hun Sen to step down.

You can see by my photos this unrest wasn't just contained to Freedom park, many roads where shut down by the glut of protesters.

While from what I saw it was peaceful but as you can see on the right, the police were gearing up in a not very peaceful manner. Ultimately killing 5 protesters last Friday  (3/1/2014) resulting in the CNPR cancelling it's upcoming major rally.

The major assault against  the protesters was by the militarises highly armed elite unit, probably something like the guys in my photo.  Armed and personally protected by bullet proof vests, visored helmets and hand held Lexan shields.

Some of the major brands effected that are manufactured in Cambodia are  Puma, adidas, Nike, Gap - including Old Navy and Banana Republic and that bargain basement super retailer Walmart.

Keeping in mind it's not unusual for a Cambodian garment worker to put in a 72 hour work week, so you can see even at $160.00 a week it's a bad pay situation for the worker. Though the corporations manufacturing product here and stock holders of the companies I listed are big winners.