Major clothing labels criticise Cambodian labour violence

Several international clothing manufacturers have demanded Cambodia investigate the recent murder of a top labour leader, saying swift justice was key to their continued presence in the country's key garment sector.

"We are quite concerned about what appears to be a pattern of violence against union leaders in the country," said a letter received Wednesday from labels Eddie Bauer, Gap, H&M Hennes and Mauritz, Liz Claiborne and Phillips-Van Heusen.

The manufacturers were reacting to the February assassination of union boss Hu Vuthy, who was the third top labour leader killed since 2004 amid an escalation of attacks against workers' rights advocates.

"The recent death of Hu Vuthy has been brought to our attention. ... It is of upmost importance to us as buyers that rule of law be swift, just and transparent," said the letter, which was addressed to Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior government officials.

"This ... ensures a stable business environment for us to continue to source our products," it added.

Cambodia's garment sector, which accounts for some 80 percent of the impoverished country's export earnings, has been plagued by increasing clashes between factory management and labour unions.

"For the past three years the situation in Cambodia has been at its worst," said a separate letter from the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) to International Labour Organisation director Juan Somavia.

The letter went on to call for an international committee to be formed to investigate the deaths of Hu Vuthy and labour organiser Ros Sovannareth, as well as the 2004 killing of Chea Vichea, who was president of Cambodia's largest union.

Cambodia's Appeals Court earlier this month upheld prison sentences for two men convicted of gunning down Chea Vichea, despite admissions by prosecutors that their politically-charged case was flawed.

"The Cambodian authorities don't intend to look for the real killers ... because the murder of Chea Vichea is connected to the high-ranking officers in the government," the CCU said.

Cambodia's garment exports jumped 17 percent to 2.5 billion dollars in 2006, but manufacturers warn continuing labour disputes could scare investors away.

Manufacturers have warned of an industry collapse at the end of 2007, when safeguards against China are lifted, depriving Cambodia of exclusive access to foreign markets.

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