Report by UN labour agency gives Cambodian garment factories mixed reviews

Working conditions in Cambodian garment factories received mixed reviews from a new report published today by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report, which contains an overview of 34 factories under a technical cooperation project between Cambodia and the United States, found no evidence of forced labour or discrimination, but did uncover problems involving sexual harassment, freedom of association and payment of wages and overtime hours.

Today's report, entitled "Second Synthesis Report on the Working Conditions Situation in Cambodia's Garment Sector," follows one published last November and covers 26,044 female and 4,163 male workers. A progress report on the 30 factories surveyed in the November report will be published in May/June, the ILO said.

In welcoming the report, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) - comprising three representatives each from the Government of Cambodia, the country's Garment Manufacturers Association and the Cambodian trade union movement - said it was pleased that forced labour and discrimination, with the exception of a limited number of sexual harassment cases, were not matters of concern in the factories surveyed.

"We trust that the positive partnership being built in the Cambodian garment industry will continue to receive the support of all concerned and will lead to the further improvement of working conditions in Cambodia's textile and apparel sector," said a statement released by the PAC, which pledged its full commitment to the continuation of the ILO monitoring project.