Celebrating International Labour Day 2023
Published on 1 May 2023Around 2,000 people celebrated International Labour Day 2023 at two key events in Phnom Penh this morning. Workers, unionists, and civil society gathered at Wat Phnom and outside the National Assembly to call for respect for labour rights and an end to harassment of unionists.
Garment workers, construction workers, informal workers, farmers, entertainment workers, domestic workers, hospitality workers, and others gathered this morning. Unionists and workers marched from Wat Phnom to the Council for the Development of Cambodia, where they gave speeches, sang songs, and shared ideas in a public forum. Another group marched from the National Assembly to Chea Vichea's statue, where they gathered to hear speeches.
The groups submitted petitions to representatives from the National Assembly, Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, and Phnom Penh Capital Hall. Both events were monitored by approximately 100 police and plainclothes authorities.