Statement 1st December, 2017

STATEMENT

Phnom  Penh,  1st  December,  2017  Garment  Manufacturers  Association  in  Cambodia  (GMAC),  a representative  of  garment, footwear industry,  and  travel  bag  industry,  would  like  to  inform  the  United Nation,  Foreign  Embassies,  the  European  Union,  the  United  States  of  America,  Buyers  and stakeholders  that the  current  political  situation shall not be  translated  into  any  actions  bearing  negative impacts  on the  daily  production and supply  chain of the  industry.

We  would  like  to  maintain  smooth  operation  of  our  600  member  factories  that  economically  support more  than  700,000 workers, most of whom are  female,  and  about 2  million more  people as  their family members.  All  the  employers  and  employees,  as  well  as  trade  unions  have  been  working  normally  and peacefully  to  support  themselves  and  the  Cambodian  economy.  The  development  of  our  industries  so far  have  lifted  millions  of  people  out  of  poverty.  More  development  is  needed  to  help  the  rest  who  are still poor.

The  workers  are  currently  happy  with  the  strong care  and  additional  benefits  from  the  government  and the  employers  including  health–care,  medical–care,  maternal  care  for  pregnant  and  post–baby  delivery, free–transportation  with  public  bus  service,  new  retirement  scheme,  affordable  fee  on  house  renting, electricity  and  water  bills,  and  the  new  review  of  the  minimum  wage  of  $170  to  be  offered  in  January next year and so on.

The  government and employers  remain committed to  link our  trade  to improved working  conditions  by complying  with  the  national  law  and  core  international  labour  standards.  The  engagement  with  ILO– BFC  in  the  last  16  years  proves  the  commitment.  In  this  respect,  Cambodia  should  be  recognized  and rewarded for its  achievement.

GMAC  appeal  to  all  of  our  international  buyers  to  continue  their  supports  on  Cambodia  and  our  member factories  to  materialize  our  economic  goal  which  is  the  improved  well–being  of  all  the  Cambodian people.